
Class _-l ^ . ^ 3 5 L5 



Authors:- , •> 

A.L.anr. TAisan lljitlook,0-^ I 

San Antonio.Tcxfts. 

'L.'S 5^ BLACKMAILER 

^^B^^ '"^ A Comedy In Three Acts . ' 

Time — The Present. 

Length Of Time — Two weeks. 

Place — Dallas, Texas. 

number Of Characters — Twelve. 

Characters :- 

Judge Benjamin Bethel. 

Doctor Samuel Smallwood. 

Reverened David Devine. 

Mrs. Benjamin Bethel. 

Mrs. Samuel Smallwood, 

lirs. David Devine. 

Pat Gully — The Detective. 

William IIcManus — Ranch-man. 

Elizabeth Brown — The Blackmailer. 

The Kid. 

Stenographer. 

Office Boy. 



Co^^rirht Applied ?or 
September I9I3. 






:i D 3 4 3 (5 a C 



^ SHE liMC£[iAIIiilR, 






■Q.Ct 1. 

Judge Bengamin Bethel's law office to right of stage* X)Oor to ri ht 
of lav7 office; door to roar, oponing into room v/liere liis stenographer 
sits, "i^ivate" on outside of door to right. Qhair near lawyer's desk, 
doctor LJ.'Tmuol bTnallw. od*c office to loft of stage; vrall hetweon the 
two officesf Door to loft of doctor's office; door to roar of Jjoctor's 
office opening into v;]iere the office girl stays* "Private" on outside 
of door to left* Chair neuv doctor's desk. 

Interior of Judge iJotliol's office; door to rear slightly opon; Judge 
Bethel seated at desk opening mail* Ho tosses some letters to one 
side, as of no /lomont* He places so .e in a pile to ho ansr-ered* lie 
takes up a snaLl square letter from the unopened pile; frowns as he 
looks at it; Jerks the envelope open J 
Judge bethel:- (ivliile reading letter j^peaks aiigrlly) 

"Darm5"- 
(Door to roar opens, iars. yrmmcl L>mallT700d enters) 
Mrs. yraallwood:- (coraing "n; is e::ccited} 

"Good norning, Judgo Bethel." 
Judge Bethel:- (turns; coos her; hurriedly pu: hes tho letter he I:as 
heen reading under so e looso papers on ^lis desk; jumjps up; is face 
clears of tlie frownt 

"Why, good raoming, Mrs. ismallwood, you are out early.' 
How is the I>octor?" 

(Ho gets her a cho.ir; she sits in it near ]:iia) 
Mrs. amallwood:- 

"I don't knou, aad I don't co.re* I haven't seen him since 
yesterday, and I never trant to soo hin again.'" 



(she tooces lier lioad; looks c.n{yry) 

Judge Bethel:- (showG groat actonislffiient) 

"why, whn , Is the matter?" 
Mrs. Bmallwood:- (talces a tolecrajn from hand hag; speaks viciously) 

"Matter onoughi-Read thati" 
(she roars hack in her chair; lookc vory angry) 
Judgo Bethel:- (takos tologram; reads aloud) 

"Doctor LiarrEiel anallwood:- 

aond money immediately. Littlo yam lie needs nov? salt. 

isnswer. 

Bessie." 

(He looks ar tonished) 

"What does it me an? 8 
Mrs. smallTOOOd:- (jerks her head detor linedly) 

"A divorce, and the custody of mj little c^xl 

^Little sanmie* indeed i" 
Judge Bethel:- 

"ivhat does tlie Itoc ' or say? Does lie admit the inference 3n 
this telegram?" 
Mrs. araall7;ood:- (angrily) 

"He admits nothing-the wretchi-says I had no husjnese to 
open his telegramsii— that I am a .jealous, suspicious T7oman4--fivon 
dares no to rrove anything by a 'simple telegram"- (she mimics him v/iiiii 
great scorn) Says it could be from a friendly patient, or a creditori— 

Friendly patienti yhe's friendly alrlght-tho hussyi axid (she pounds 

the desk) beioro I an t]>rouf?h with him ; 1*11 be ' is creditor. I'll 
sue l:im— .1*11 sue him for everything in tn.e world-I*ll sue him for a 
divorcoZ I'll sue him for Hellie laayli — I'll sue hin for our home J 1 
I'll sue him for all the other property-I'll oven ue him for hj.s 



S. IS^ jBLACKUAEOEK. 

golf sticks then lie can taire Boscle and 'Little bamnie * and get 

liim a new ouit every day If ho cani. 

(She grows very much ezcited; takes her hana:feerchlGf and datlDlec her 

eyes) 

Judge Bethel:- (Gravely) 

"There may "be sone explan-^-tion to this-(E3iakes teicgram)- 
It'8 drea ful to "break up a happy home." 
Mrs. c allwood:- (s:':±illy) 

"Ebrplanatipnil (she , rabs telogran from him; xjavcs it 

■before his eyes) This Bessie wires for noney to huy new suits for 
'Little yamrnieJi — (She rises looks and speaks very venenouoly)She*ll 
get a suit alright, and I>octor binllwood will got noro than jie bar- 
gained fori I'his Bescio creature telegraphing hira for money, and new 
suits for little ^JOTimiei-Llttle cJamnieJ- Judge Bethel, I vxuit you to 
file siiit against the wretches at once." 
Jadge Bethel:- (looks rave) 

"where is this Bessie, anci who is slie any way?" 
Mrs. Smallwood:- 

"I don't know. If I did ; there wouldn't "be any Bessie, 
nor any little t3Ginmie either vciy long — I'd — I'd — (she grits lier 
teeth; holds her hands like outstretched clav;s, and looks very 
vicious) 
Judge Bethei:- 

"Well, we r.-ill liave to locate this Bessie-first, and 
then if you are determined to bring suit for divorce, I will take 
your case, but ±lf I would advise careful consideration before you 
take such n radical step, there nay be some exfcenuating circumstances. 
ilrs. tJiaallwood:- (rising-speaks grimly) 



4. , gHE EL.lCKI.LAILait. 

" Little :jrjarnlo is eircumstance enoucli for nei— 1*11 
find tliat xjoslio croaturo, I'll get c. detoctive, do you know of a 
good ono? 

J^dge Bothel:- (takes a newspaper from hie desk; turns it over; finds 
an article in it; folds paper so as to show the article; hands to 
her) 

"Here is a piece of fine work done l)y "Detective Gully", 
that I noticed this morning-You might try liim* I hear he is con- 
sidered the best." 

Mrs. bTnallwood:- (takes paper; reads article, T/ritos address on paper 
from her "bag; hands newspaper hack to him, he puts it on dock J 

"-Ohaak you. Judge, I will go and see 1 im, and I'll ho 
back for you to i'ile stiit as soon as I locate tlmt vile woman, and 
little oamnie >" (exits door to right) 

Judge i3ethol:- (gets up, walks around room; hands in his packets; 
looks serious) 

"Geei Isn't sho viciousi — Poor iJevili — roor tmallwoodi 
Ye Godsi I wonder if all wives are like that?- (he walks slowly to 
his desk-cits in his c .air-ronches slowly for tlie letter, that he had 
pushed under the other papers VThon Mrs* biaallwood entered; takes it 
out; reads it, frowning dreadfully as ho does so; then he takes 
larger envelope from pile-opens it-looks admiringly at photograph 
enclosed- turns it over-reads-looks sheepish; the telephone on his 
desk rings; he Jumps up; pushes letter and photograph hack under 
papers; takes up the receiver; newspr,per drops to floorj 

"Yes, this is Bethel, wliat i Are 2z ; ou ]iere{ — In this town? 
(he acts o:>:cltod) — what did you come .lore for? — Yes- (sullenly) I 
got your letter, hut do you t-iink I am jiiade of money-ivhnt 's thati — 



TlliJ BMCKT-LlILliK, 



Going to tafce the cl.ild to nj 7±tQ}ll -I* 11 "broak your infernal neckjfc 

wlaat's that?-- Meet you at— v/Mt hotel? — All right (sullenly) IIo 

feelluf for the cliild?~jUEt cut tliat out, will you — if it uasn't 

for him, you r/o;iia have "been a "baclc nuin'ber lonjj af;o Yoc, i got 

his picture — he*s a fine lookinfj 'boy--think he looks like ne?~ 
(his tone changes to a kindlier one) Yes, I'm coming, iDUt I will 
havG to go "by tl e bank first*" 

(he pullc; dovrn the roll top of Iiis desk; it fails to fasten ruid 
lock, as io catches on some of tlie letters, which ho fails to notice; 
ho steps to the rear door, opens it and speaks to his stenographer*) 

"Miss Cjameron, I have to go to tlie Court Eoueo for an 
hour, if any one comes in, hax'o them vrait if you can*" 
(takes his hat from the rack, and exits tiarough door to rigl:t) 
Interior of Doctor's office to left of stage. 

Dr. yaimel LTiiallwood:- (opens rear door; Mrs. David Devine slightly 
"behind him; he notions lier in) 

"Walk right in, Mrs. Devine, I sr.i sorry tliat I kept you 
waiting-. Taut I an not feeling very v-ell myself today, and got behind 
with ray calls- (Mrs Devine comes in, followed "by the Doctor, ^^he has 
on a heavy veil, which she thji-or/s hacJc as she takes a chair* Ho sits 
at his desk) Uov; whit's wrong witli you?" 
Mrs. Devine:- (trornbles; looks miserable; then bc^^ins to weop) 

"Doctor, I on awfully sick* I think I an going- to cliol" 
Dr. amallr/ood:- (kindly) 

"'SutiiMti not a bit of it-Let's see your tongue, 
(she sticks out her tongue; continuos to cry) Your toiigue looks 
clean- (ho feels her pulse; counts it r^ith his v;atch) Have you arxi/ 
T)ain?" 



t^k 



6. i THP; BLilCK.M;:iLJ-H» 



Mrs. i'evlnoHprcGsee her hand t® hor heart) 

"fioro, "but I ara aide all ovor; I can't nleep; I can't 
eat— I am goiiig to-d-i-ei" 
(she sho^eo v.itli her sobs) 

Doctor briallwood:- (gets tlior; lO eter frcci his pocket; sticks it in 
her mouth-takes hor temperature) 

"You haven *t any temperature." (ho looks non-prass^i) 
iVbat has upset you so?-- (she contlnuGs to weep; he speaks very 
kindly) Does x,ir. nevlne Isxlot. of yoia^ condition?" 
Mrs. Dovine:- (still v/eoping) 

"i!J-0." 

Dr. ianallwood;- (soothingly) 

"IJow try to composo yourself-seo if you can't toll no 
mat seens to be -che trouble* Are any of t] e chldron ill?" 
Mrs. Devine:- (neops more v/ildly) 

"U-o-but — I--wish-they r/ere-all-d-d-d-cad tooi" 
Dr. •^inallwood:- (sliocked tones) 

"Madami- -are you crasyli" 
Mrs. L'evino:- (weeping) 

"ii-a-no, but ho's cr-cr-cr-crr.r,y— ho has been getting 
letters from a ^7oman £Uid drav/in; chequos payable to bearer to buy 
things for a little Davio — and. ny little iiavle ain't that little 
DavieiJiJ-lshe grows convulsed; Dr. i^noaiTrood gets up and looks at 
hor Tdldly) 
Dr. amallwood:- 

"uadcun, you certainly need troatment* Try to compose 
yourself and explain." 



•lEa BLACJSLLliLSH. 



Jiirs. Devine:- (still weeping; gets n piece of a letter fro!;i Iior iiaiid 
bag; liondD to the Doctor) 

"Oaxi you give r.e aedicino for this ?" 
Doctor braallwood:- (reads o^loud) 

"I havG .aitod a week — I must liavo some inore moiiey to 
pay the doctor's "bills for our little i»av e, who has beon very sick 
with diphtheri*. I have vqoh on ray feet night atid day for ti-roe 
weeks, and "lo nee4s ne?r slices to go to school. If I do not get 
the money at once, I v;ill be conipelled to virit to you r ^ " 
(he looks 8,t hor in consternation) 

"wliere iflLd you get tiiic?" 
Urc. Devine: - 

"I was cleaning up his study, and fomid tliat piece of 
a lottor-(she points to it)- in t'le leaves of his last Sunday's 
sermon; tlie test was:- 'Bo ye porfoct, as your father in Heaven v/as 
perfect '(she collapses a[j:ain rrith v/ecping) and I heard hin tele ihon- 
ing this morning to some one, r;ho TTanted to see him — I on dvxq tliat 
I heard hin use a. horrible rord—he said somet" ing about iiell fire 
cuid damiaation, hut ho might Iiave been rehearsing his sermon, " 
Dr. Smallwoodi- (in ar.tonishnont) 

"Is it possiblel" 
Mrs. Dovine;- 

"3}hen I uent through his desk, but didn't find the rest 
of the letter-that *s typet/ritten, you see, hut I found a lot of old 

stuts to his clieques thero are any number of the narked payable 

to boarer I'iliO is bearer? It mast be the mother of that little 

Davi^ — I knov7 thoy aro (pointing to piece of letter in his ]iands)t}ie 
mother of ^ little Davie didn't g t those cheques 1 2- (she collapses 



8. . TIffi £L.XIC:.1IL^H. 



again) Aiid I liavenH" liad but one new hat tlrlc year, aad n^ little 
i)avio*s GliOGO are all scratclicd up, and r.iy little ;:irl*s loair 

rilDbons liave all been waslied and they they — none of them, have 

a bracelet to their name the-the-Prosiding Elder's little 

girl hiis-a g-g-£,old necklace, and tT/o b-b-bracletsi {weoiDS 

despairingly) 

Dr. Smallwood:- (pours some medicine into a glass , while trying to 

hide a laugh) 

"Drink this itrs. Dev±no; try and ciuiot yourself, this 
may not be go bad after all»" 

(she drinka the raedicino, while he is writing a prescription) 
Mrs. Dovino:- 

"Doctor, I T/aiit to find out who the 'bearer* on tliooo 
cheques ic." 
Dr. Smallwood: - 

"You will liave to get a dotoctivo for that Job; that's 
not in my lino, beci os-(acido) I've got trouljlos of my oroi. How 
got t his filled (he hands her tlie prescription) and take according 
to directions, and take n-^ advice about tliis matter- (he hands her 
the piece of letter) forget this; your husband is a preacher and it 
can't be so- (he turns aside to hide a grin) you liavo seven c'dldron- 
so forget it." 

Mrs. Devine:- (puts piece of letter and prescription in her hand- 
bag, wipes her eyes; rices) 

"Uhaiik you. Doctor, v.liere did you say I could find a 
good detective?" -.^weops) 
Dr. Smallwood:- (throws up his hands) 

"Oh, women, women 1 1 — (then clianging his tone to a life- 



9» xmc BLACKM/gLL'.H . 

lecG one) Pat G-olly ic oaid to be an expert • Tliero i£3 a lot about 

Mm in tl.is morning's paper." 

Mrs. Devinei- (still weeping, tumc to door to leJTt) 

"Doctor, please don't mention this-for-for-the Prodd- 
ing aider's T7lfG would bo sure and toll it at the nest prayer me t- 

ing slio ould toll tlie Bishop's wife about tliero being two little 

D-D-jjavieslll (slio goes but tlie door to left crying bitterly) 
Bjr. Gnall?/ood;- (loans back in Ms cliair; looks after her) 

"21ie Colonel's lady, aiid Judy 0» Grady, ai^e sisters under 
tlie skin." 
(door to rear opens; David Devino-tlie preacher ontors) 

"Why, hello. Parson, come inj Do you need a pill pusher 
too?" 

David Devlne ;- (comes solonmly in; carefully shuts the door after 
him; takes the chair that his wife has just left) 

"Doctor, I am not foolinp very well; I think I need 
sorao kind of a tonic, maybe." 
Dr. Smallwood:- (hides a grin) 

"Lets see your tongue." 
(- reacher sticks out Idr.: ton^e; Doctor examines it carefully) 

"Wliy, Pajyson, you've got a good tongue-a fine tongniol 
^ybe you've sod it a little too much t]iough."-( doctor grins a^ide) 
David Devinei- (gloomily; shakos his head) 

"I don't fool well:- I can't sleep at night." 
Dr. aaallwood:- (solicitously) 

"How, that's too bad (gets themomoter from his pocket; 
sticks it in Preacher's mouth; tal^os his Iiand; takes out hs watch; 



^ 



10, "ZEIj BLilCEMILj^ . 

coimts liiD pulso; looks very era,VG; shakos Ms head solGinnly ,) Your 
heart action is v/ild-too much action. (Doctor t'^kos th-erinoneter from 
tlie proachor's mouth; looks at it; sliakes hie head) Too nuch teaper- 
atureii Blood too hotlii- — You \Till have to be careful. Parson, you 
have "been overdoing; yourself, remember you have a large family to 
take care of-a family of fiiie children-seven, isn't it?-^the preacher 
looks miserable)— You liave one fine little fellow, Davie, named for 
you, I believe I A fine old fellow Kinr; David r/as, he and old King 
Solomon wero gr at old boys: wlmt's tlrnt little j ingle :- 
"King Solomon and King David, 

Led merry, merry lives, 

They ec.ch load maiiy lady friends, (grin) 

Any ma.T3y, mr.ny wives. 

But when old ago overtook tliom, with many, many ciualms. 

King »^olonon wrote the Proverbs, 

And King David wrote the Psclms." 
(Preacher grins sheepishly, folloT/efl by a sanctimonious look; Doctor 
is writing- a prescription) 

They had a great time In thoir day-a great time j- a time 
to conjure withlj-but old Father Time got ti.o best of them after all 
tlieir high jinks; and all t'oy could do was to sit in the shade, 
v.Tite Psalms and Proverbs, and make fac^is at their doddery old legs." 
(hands the prescription to preacher) TaJre tl^is according to direc- 
tioiis, and don't get e::cited about anything;- (preacher puts pro crip- 
tion iA his pocket) oxeltoment ic bad for preachers. You liavon't 
anything on your mind, have you Parson, that keeps you awake at 
night?'' (Doctor grins acide) 



# 



II. SHE BLACKLIAILIia^. 



I»,I»evine*'- (looks norvctis; fiti£;ors play on oacli kneo) 

"I Mvo many dutiec, and. niy scrrnons occupy niucli of r:iy 
tirn9»" 
Dr, Smallv700d:- (nods) 

"IVatohinn: tho moro.l conduct of your flock roust woigli 
heavily on your mind»" 

D.Devine;- (s<gEuirms a"bout; then gets up, and turnc to door to 
left) 

"I inuBt "be go inc. I v.-ant to soo Judce Bethel ahout oiu? 
nov; churchy Good-bye, doctor." (he exits, doctor nods to him) 
I*. Smallwood:- 

"Poor DovilJ- Poor sanctimonious h;7-oocritelJ Some Bessie 
or other's got hiin too." (he sighs, and turns to his desk» His 
telephone rin^^s, ho takes reeciVGr dovm) "..lio is it? Yes, this 

is Dr. Smallwood* V,lio? BessieiX — The Hell it islSi--V.ell, you've 

caused enough i of that for me (he speaks very savagely) Moved here 

to liveJS — ily GodJIi — Didn't ansr? ;r your tolcgram? Haven't 

had ay liands on it yet« My T7ife got it-she's got it under lock 
and key— If I .ere you I'd keep out of Iwx r;ay— "bet your sTreot' lif o 

I'd doi^if; it Yes. I'll Iielp tho child — I'lilrik he favors ine?- 

(ho sv/ellc up)-flne lookiiif; kid, is he? All ri^ht, I'll cone— 

Vihere? All right — I'll be there after lunch— about 2:30- 

(he gets up and exits through rear door) 

Door to rear of Judge Bethe^-ls office opens; Mrs. Bethel enters; 
she stands in tlio doorr/ay a moment tallcing- to the stenographer* 
Mrs. Bethel :- 

"When do you think he will get back?" 



12. TEE BLACK^iOLi^. 

Miss Cameron-EstQiiographor-:- 

"He hv-d some "business at the tvjnk. and tlie Court IIougg, 
and said tlait lie v/ould bo gone for an hour." 
Mrs# Bethel:- (ontering private office) 

"Well, I v/ill v/r.it here, and go to lunch V7itli him," 
(she cits at Judge Bethel's de.:;k; picks up the nef^TSpaper from tlie 
floor; reads J -Miss Cameron, (raising her voice) did you road this 
article ahout tliat kidnapping case, and tlie wonderful detective 
work of Patrick Gully? Its really wonderful; if I should over nood 
tlie holp of such people; I should go to this detective; he must 
be a Sherlock Holmes." 
Miss Cameron:- (from nest room) 

"He sure is»(EhG cones to door vrith her hat on) Mrs* 
Bethel, I am going out to 1 inch, can I do anything for you first?" 
Mrs. Bethel:- (pleasantly) 

"Ho thank you, Iliss Cameron, 1*11 ^st vait iKsre, and 
read the paper." (stoncgraphor exits rear doori Mrs. Bethel turns 
t":e paper over; throws it do\m; looks out of the wlndovTs; turns 
back to the desk; seec tliat it in not closed tight; piills up the 
top indifferently; begins to look over the mail; finds tho letter 
which h.or hjusband had pushed under tlio other letters; looks at it 
carelessly at first j t^en she starts; hor cyos gTov; wild; sho 
sho\;s evidence of great e::citement; staggers against the desk - 
letter in her liand - sho re-reads it, staggers to tho cl air, falls 
in it; loans against f!ie deck and v/oeps convulsively; the roar 
door opens, and t'e RetPerond David Bovine enters; she raises her 
face) 



IS. m2 BLAeElAILJR . 

D.Deviiie:- (in s-iofeked and s51rip1G.tl1.etic tones) 

"Wliy. Sister Bethel, \7hat is the i:iattor?" 
iirc« Bctliol;- (mops ':or face vritl- hor li.o,nd]3:ercliiof , ^i'Mch she takes 
from lior Iiand-"bag) 

"Oil, Brotlier Dovino, tliis dreadful letterl" (slio holds 
lip letter) Just listeul" (she roads aloud) 

"Beai'est PrioM:- 

Thank yov. for that last ra.-ney, hut I must 
liave sone more at once, f :r little Benaie has heen vt^ sick with 
moacles* He needs a trip, ai>d so do I, for I am ?7orn out nursing 
him# Ho is thxc very linage of you , as you can see from the picture 
I send you "by tliis mail* I an thinlclng- of moving to your totm, 
80 tliat r;o can to lieav you, and you can direct h.is education. 

Yours as ever, 
Bettio," 
P.c. Don't fail to send t" money* I d liate to have to go to your 

wife to got it" (she looks at hira v/ith a 

horrified face) Isn't that horrilDlel Miat slieai I-do? Oh, 

Hoavenoi vrlia.t sliall I do?- (she T/alks u;o and dOTTn the rcom) — -ITlie 
picture isn't in the lotter-Ican't find it either.-- (sh.o looks 
OTer the letters and papers on the desk) — - Isn't it too dreadfullJ 

The creature coming herolJ Ohl-^''^°"" could he h"ve tr ated me soJJ- 

I— loved— him-so-muehlJI--0-0-OhlL!ii" (she clenches her hands; 
twists her ho^idkerchief ; walks the floor; the preacher looks at 
her in solemn silence for a moaent) 
D.Devine;^ (soleimily) 

"11^ dear Sister, this is an awful trial, but listen to 



14. ) im^ BLxCKLLillER . 

mo for a moment- (slio stops a:ad looks at liiia)- Your Im; /band "iis 
evidently boon a frr at s inner * (he si; aires liia head sadly) So err 
is huin£>n-to forgive dovlne~you are a gocd v.'orian; T^^uld it not he 
a great trinraph for your and h's soul, if you took tliis cliild of 
sin and der:radation-(he looks piously upward) and raise hin in 
your ovni home, rather than liave the n-»ther cone liere to drag your 
hushand diovm from his high position- — x'ay hori— (loudly)— Pay 
horl (more loudly) Pay h^r, hor own price j (vory loud) but get rid 
of lier—You have no child of your orai-you are rich in this v/orld's 
goods, and your husband is a po~er in our clxorch here, and his 
donations V70uld he sadly missed , if he had to leave on aceouiit of 
this-tliis- (he points to the letter, in her lioiid)-- hideous affair i 
(he shiiddors)-- — Jud.^o Bethel -wOuld never renoin in this tovm, if 
you should divorce him# He intends to run for rrovoraor, and this — 
(he t^.udders again) -matter— (nods to letter again)-v;oultL kill his 
cliances were it to got out, hut if you pay the sinful p/oman enough 
money, she might give the child to you and loave the state; then 
you, and the Judge T70uld got thjs credit tf-f adopting an orphan 
child, and Ms election \70uld "bo assured. !rhi23k over this matter, 
my clear sister in Clirist, and act not Imstily, for it v/ould ho a 
great thin{^^ for oiir cinireh to liavo one of its mcanbors in the 
Gubernatorial chair, atid we could get inany things accoraplislied 
tliroiigji the Legislature, for the good of tlie Lord — and OTirselves." 
(he cor.ts his eyes piously up\7ard) 
Mrs. Bethel:- (listone attentively, mops hor ey sjsiglis) 

"Yes, Brother Bovine ,;: our words are words of wiijdon, as 
your own deeds have alv/ayc boon pure.- (he fidgets anc sqn.irms 



15» \ THE BLACEJAJL^. 



atoVut ., "bTit Go ill looks pious, ac lie clasps Ms Iiaods moolcly in 

froiit of liin) — I sliould love to life in t'le Gorernor's Ilansion — 

and.— and— all t'lo rest ox it~I*ll do as yoii siig^es;. 1*11 koop 

iny plan a secret from liim— the mckod v.T:otchi-(she do.bliles her 

eyes ag-ain) 1*11 hunt for this orril3le v.onian, "but tlixs letter is 

tjrpevnritton and gives no address- ( she looks at letter)- and I 

will pajr her to give the child to me, and then go ar/ay- — then 1*31 

Dho\7 him the cliild— and lot him Idiow thfit I^ know all I guoos 

ho TTill do as I say, from noT7 on, vrheai he has to look at little 

Bonnie every day--tho little Devill (vie ioiisly) --Pardon me. Brother 

Devine, hut t'lis is a terrihle griSf and sliock to iae-(sho weops)- 

and I thir-k that he oug-ht to "bo ashainod of liiraG8lf-Don*t you?" 

D . I)evine:-(turnin;-, to door to rin:ht) 

"Ho certainly should, "but;-*nian is fire;v70mon are tov/j 

tho Devil cones, and begins to hlOT7." I most go- (he shakos her 

Iiand)-&od he uith you, my dear sister, and rononiber ahout the 

Governor's Ilansion." (he e::its door to rioJit) (Lire. Bothol picks 

up the newspaper on the floor; turns it over; {^ots pencil and paper 

from the desk; takos dovni 3)etective Gully's address; puts addross 

in h r hand-bag; then she hogins another search rmder papers on 

deskj. slio finds the picture of the child; something is written on 

aloud; " 
tho hotton of tho picture; she roads/ "Little Bonnie to his daddy" 

■"fudn aloud ^ov"^'- 
(she turns picture over/^on back - — 'His hair Is yellow likd 

yours, Bettie," (she takes out hor Tvatch-opens t:ie "back of the 

case; ess^nlnes the picture of her husband in the T7atch;compares 

it \:ith the picture of the child . IVIiile she is doiiog tMs Mrs. 

anallv.ood ontors her husband's office from tho rear door; cl\e 



16. ' 2HE BLAOEmiLIH. 



jerks up hio deck; gOGO tlacougli o,ll tliC. papers; slie lookr. in the 
waste paper Taaoket; finds pieces of a letter; slie puts tlie pieces 
tofjether; locks ang-ry; puts the pieces carefu3.1y av,a^ in her 
hand-bafj; then she comes to a drawer tliat vrlll not open; she 
prices it open r/ith some instnanents; ;erks t^io drawer open; 
seises a picture .similar to the one that ilrs» Bethel is looking at 
in her husTDaiid's office to tlie rights turns pictui-e over; roads 
something? on "back; then she tlirows photograph on tlie floor; stamps 
on it) 

(Curtain) 

Snd of Act I. 



SEP ^ \ 



r -Ov o ^ The Blackm ail er. 



Act II, 
Suae day- Afternoon. 






Interior of Detective Pat Cully's office. 

A de8k;seyeral chairs, and other furniture used in a detective's 

private office. Door to rear, and door to left of room. 



)Ci,D 343(VJ 



16. 

The Blac3nnaller . 
Act II. 
Interior of Detective Pat Giaiy*s office. 

Pat Gully: -( seated at his desk; smoking a cigar;reading a report) 
Office hoy.-'i opens door;ushers Mrs.Smallwood in) 
Mrs.Sinallwood:-( walks to desk) 

'• Is this Mr.Pat Gtaiy?" 
Pat Gully: -( removes cigar) 

" That's my name." 
Mrs.Smallwood:- 

" You're the detective?" 
Pat Gully :- 

" I am." 
Mrs • Smallwood : - 

" I have a case for you." 
Pat Gully: -( motions her to a chair) 

" Won't you have that chair, Madam." 
Mrs.Smallwood: -( takes a chair; opens her hand-hag; takes out a bundle of 
papers, and a photograph) 

" My hushsind is a villian .and I am going to get even with 
him; I am going to divorce himl I am going to make a beggar out of himj-' 
I am going to let this whole town ioiow that he spends his time buying 
new suits for his little Sammiei — { she fairly spits the name out)— * 
and getting telegrams from Bessie J — ( she hands him the telegram and the 
photograph)— I am going to ruin his practice 1 1 And then I am going to 
attend to Bessie and little Sammie ii — but I've got to find them first; 
that's why I've come to employ you — ( Pat Gully listens attentively to 
all that she says; chews on his unlighted cigar; says nothing) 



17. . 

The 31ac3aar.llor. 

I got that telegram the other d&y, before he did-( she points to the tol-* 
egran)-! found the picture in his deskJ - hidden away in a locked up 
draweriJ — ( her voice expresses great scom)~Look at Itl— { her voice 
grows shrill) 
Pat Gully: -( reads aloud from bottom of picture) 

"•Little Sammie to his Daddy-Big Sanmie*-- ^ take it, that you got 
this-( he shakes photograph) -from your husband's desk." 
Mrs,Emallwood:-(nods her head) 

" And I got this noto-( she takes another paper from her hand- 
bag)-from the waste-paper basket;it was torn up, but I pasted the p-i-caor^ 
on that r^-:.iOe of paper— Just read itl— she has the nerve to talk about 
how much that little Bevil-( she points to the photograph) -looks like 
him, evex: to the color of his hair] J I — ( she weeps angrily) 
Pat Gully: -( looking at photograph) 
'nVhat color is his hair?" 
Mrs,Smallwood:-{ wipes her eyes) 

" Turn the picture over." 
Pat Gully:-( turns photograph over;reads aloud) 
" His hair is auburn, like yours. Bessie." 
Mr s . Smal Iwo d : - 

" Auburn: It's redj-a nasty, ugly, villainous red] I I hate 

iti— 'I hate him, and I want to X-I-L-L ^essie and that little red head- 
ed toad of a Sammie .* .'i — ( she looks dangerous) 
Pat Gully: - 

" You \mnt me to locate this woman and this child, so that you can 
bring your suit for divorce ?" 
Mrs . Smallwood : - 

" Yes-That's all my lawyer-Judge Bethel-needs; Just her address. n 



18. 

The Blackmailer . 

Pat Gully: -( opens book on his desk;takes pen and ink;starts to write) 

" iVhat is your name?" 
Mrs Smallwood:- 

" Mr S.Samuel Smallwood." 
Pat Gully: -( looks surprised) 

" Wife of Doctor Smallwood?" 
Mrs. Smallwood:-( speaks grimly) 

" At present I am, until you find where Bessie and little 
Sammie live." 
Pat Gully: -( writes in book) 

" Well,Madam,I'll get busy on this case at once, and will report 
to you in a few days." 
Mrs.Smallwood:-{ rises) 

" Or you might deliver everything to Judge Bethel, and if I find 
any more evidence against them-the vipersi-I'll bring it to you. 

I'll pay anything on Earth, Just to find that little Sammie J I "-(she 
grits her teeth; shakes her head; clenches her hands, as she exits) 
/Pat Gully picks up the photograph;looks carefully at it;lays it on the 
desk;takes the telegram; rereads it;takes the patched up pi<ice of letter; 
rereads it; gets a long sheet of paper ;makes notes on it;pins telegram 
and letter to the long sheet of paper;wraps the photograph in these 
papers;lays all on the desk; office boy opens door;ushers Mrs. Bethel in) 
Mrs.Bethel:-{ advances to desk) 

" Is this Detective Gully?" 
Pat Giaiy:-{ nods) 
" Yes, Madam." 



19. I 

The BlacloTULiler. 

Mrs. Bethel :- 

" I have a delicate cace that I -.mnt very carefully handled, 
and no publicity in the future. " 
Pat Gully :- 

" This "business employs no press? agent s.iladam. Won't you be 
seated. " 

Mr8,Bethol:-( sits in chair Just vacated by l!rs.Sinallwood; leans 
forward ) 

" I am lire. Benjamin ^ethel." 
Pat Gully :- 

" Wife of Judge Bethel?" 
Mrs.'«^ethel:- 

" Yes, and I find-^I find — I have foimd ( she stanmers) 

that lay husband has a little Bennie.and it is'nt mine—it *o Bettio'sJ- 

{ she ^^®^B down and weeps angrily) the hateful thingJIJ -( she 

opens her hand-bag; gets out a letter, and a photograph; hands to 
detective)— I want you to find them for me — I am going to adopt 
little BennieIi-( she weeps again)-I don't want my husband to know it 
until I buy him from this Settle creature, and get her to go away— 
1*11 pay her to do it— I want you to— to— find little Bennie." 
Pat Gully: -( looks at her in surprise) 

" Eave'nt you any children?" 
Mrs.Bethel:~ 

" Mo". 
Pat Gully :- 

" You really intend to adopt this other woman's child, 
if you can buy hor off?" 
Mrs. Bethel :- 



EO. 

The Blackmailer . 

Pat Gully: -( admiringly) 

" You are a remarkable woman.'" 
Mrs. Bethel :- 

" Brother ^evine has advised mo to do this, for the sa3:e of 
oy }iusband's soul~and— 'and-sevoral other reasons." 

Pat Cully: -( reads the l6ttor;looks at the photograph; looks astonished 
as he examines it closely) 

" There's a sl:y-pilot in the case?" 
Mrs.Bethel:- 

" He is my minister, and a very pure man. I have found much 

Christian comfort in his Godly advice- See what that wretched woman 

wrote on the back of that fiendish picture— (she points to the photo- 
graph in his hands )-of the little Demonll— ( Pat Gully turns photo- 
graph over;looks at writing on back; starts; starts to get the other 
photograph, in the bundle of papers relative to Mrs.Smallwood's case; 
looks uncertainly at Urs. Bethel; puts bundle of Mrs.Smallwood's papers 
back; takes letter given him by llrs.Bethel; rereads it; looks nonplussed) 
Pat Giaiy:- 

" This Bettie woman says that little Bennie*s hair is yellow . 
Is that the color of Judge Bethel's hair?" 
Mrs.Bethel:-( angrily) 

" yes,a.iid see how she wrote it ;Like yours' ;and on the picture: 
» just like his Daddy'— Ohl j T«mt ^^ km her.hrfjn.and that nasty 

little Bonniei J " 
Pat ftully:- 

" But I thought you wanted to adopt him J" 
Mrs. Bethel: 

" I am going to adopt him, but I want to kill him too." 



21. 

The Blackmailer . 

Pat Giilly:-( laughs; twist 8 his face into a wry smile, as he continues 

to examine the photograph. ) 

" And his hair is yellow?" 

Mrs. Bethel :-( rises) 

" Yes; BO the creature writes. tVhen you get them located;let me, or the 

Reverened David Uevine know, lie is in my confidence, and will talk to this 

abandoned female about my adopting the child-little i;ennio." 

( She exits. Pat Gully grabs the other bundle; takes ont the other photo- 

eraph;putB the two side by side;looks keenly interested, as he examines 

them, '•^'he door opens;th6 office boy ushers Mrs. David ievine into the room. 

The detective hurriedly pushes the two photographs, and all letters, under 

some papers on his deBk;tums an interested face to 'Irs.Devine) 

Mrs. De vine :-( comes timidly into the room. She has on a heavy veil) 

" Are you the great detective?" 

Pat Gully :-( smiles) 

" I am a detective ,L'adam." 

Mrs.Devine: (cautiously lifts a corner of her veil;looks and speaks in 

a nervous maimer) 

I " Are you Detective Gully?" 

'at Gully :- 

" That is my name." 

xs.Devine:-( raises her veil over her hat) 

" I want to consult you about a terrible matterJ"-( she weeiis) 

jpat Gully :-( kindly) 

i " Take a seat, and tell me your trouble-I'll try and help you." 

ICr8.Devine:-{ earnestly) 

" You wont ever tell?" 

at Gully: -( just as earnestly) 

" Gross my heart;hope tc die, if I doj" f he crosses his 



r 



E2. 

The Blac'ouailei- 



heart end looks solecujly at her) 

Mrs.Dovine:-( heaves a sigh of relief; sits in the chair just vacated 

by LIrs. Bethel anu leans toward him) 

" I don't want the Presiding Slder's dfe to know;ohe would 
tell the BishoiT's wife, and she would tell the whole church about their 
being two little Daviesili" — ( slie weeps) 
Pat >^lly:-( jumps in his chair) 

" ViTiat:— Another?" 
Mrs.Devine:-( rocks br.ck and forth in her chair;hands to hor face) 

" look at theseIi-( she opens her hand-bag; takes out a sheet 
of note paper;a photograph; several stubs of bank cheques. He takes 
them all in ?iis hands ;looks at photograph in great astonishment ;looi:s 
blankly at her;takes the port of a letter, and the stubs;looks at them.) 

I found them all in his desk, where his sermons were." 
Pat Sully: -( reads aloud from bottom of photograph) 

" Little Davie to his Daddy. — Are you the Sky-pilot *s wife?" 
Mrs.Devine:-( primly) 

" I am the wife of the Reverened Dnvid i'evine." 
■fat Gully: - 

" Is his hair red, or yellow?" 
Mrs.-iJevine:-( weeping wildly) 

"iIo.it is black, and she v;r4tes that the other little Davie's 
is black too-look on the back of the pictureii" 
Pat '^hilly:-( turns photograph over;reads aloud) 

" His hair is black, like his Daddy' s.L;:zzie." 



23. 



The Blackmallar . 

Mrs.Devine:-( weeps wildly) 

" Blacki — blackil — Llacki : .' — -^nd so is my little Davie's-his is 
black too, Just like his papa's — Oh J — Ain't it awful 1 1 — Loth to have 
black hairlll-^ — all my other children's hair is brown;only Davie's — 
that's blacki — And tlie other little [fevie's had to go and be black tooIII 
OhJ — If it had only been red, or yellow; anything but black J 1 1 -( she 
rocks back and forth;weops convulsively) 
Pat Gully: -(desperately) 

" Say, here nowJ-Iion't cry like that;maybe she made a mistake, 
and it i_s red or yellow; or maybe its both.'" 
Mrs.Devlne:-( still weeping) 

" But those cheques]— See hov; many are made out payable to:- 

'bearer' on the stubs 1 v/ant to find out who 'bearer' is. I Imow its 

this woman-Li zzie-but who is she? — Vvhore does she live?— I want you 
to find out for rae.iJo ^ou think you can?" 
Pat Gully: -( confidently) 
" I think I can," 
Mrs,Devine:-'( rising) 

" Please don't let anybody, but Dr.Smallwood know about this. 
You can tell him when you find them, for he is my doctor and is giving 
me nerve treatment .since I foxmd out about all these cheques, and that 
other horrid, horrid little DavieiiJ-( she dropw hor veil;goes out 
weeping) 

Pat G-ully:-( grabs the other two photographs, from under the papers 
on his desk;holds them all three in hlB hands ;whistles long and loud) 
" Por the love of Miko l — IIo,for the love of? — Lets see?-(he 
takes all the papers in tho tli»ee cases; shuffles them in his hands; 



24, 

) 

The Blackmailer , 

spreads them all out on the deslc;holds the three photographs in his 

left hand) 13essie--tJettie-Li2sle ; -three frail ladies, and three brave, 

honorable gentlemen-an M.D. ,a D.D. and a L.L.D. — Three angry weeping 
wives, and three sturdy little results of sub-rosa affairs ( he ex- 
amines the three photographs more closely; jumps up and walks around the 
room) — •^y George! This is a funny caseJ i— Hed-yellow-black — ( he still 
looks at the tliree photographs; squints his eyes)— they 're alike as peas 
in a ]~>od — but,red?--yellow? — black? — iJow this is a mixup;a real puzzle, 
{ He lays the photographs down on the desk;walks aroiind the room;his 
hands to his head;runs his fingers through his hair;looks wild) — 
Same eyes, same nose, same mouth and chin, same shaped head;but ,red, 
yellov7 and black hairi — GadB,t,his is a mysteiyi — Bessie, Lizzie, -i^ettie- 
( he goes to his desk;beginB to figure, and write) — Three mothers, three 
daddies-a Saw-bones, a Sky-pilot , and a Li-yer; result: -one kid with dif- 
ferent colored hairi-( he walks aroimd the room; seems in a deep study )- 
Three mothers;three daddies;Bame kid, with a red head, a yellow head, 
and a black headiJ— 'My Godi Its a chameleon J -Its got three heads, and on- 
ly one body! — Its got three mothers! — Its got three daddies! !-and its 
name is:-little Cammie;little Bemiie;and little Davie! ! I — By George! 
its hydra-headed !!! -Red, black and yellow!!! I'm bug-house! bug-house 
sure!lBut I'll find that striped headed kid, with three naraes;his three 
mothers, and three daddies, if it takes as long, as it takes the Kevolu- 
tion in Mexico, to stop revoluting! ! !-( he looks at his watch;goeB back 
to his desk;looks in the telephone book;takes do^'^i the receiver; calls) 
Central, give rao ^lain 7654.— That you. Judge Sethel?— This is (haiy 
Pat Giaiy.at -lieadqiiarterB. Will you step round to my off ice, within the 
next thirty minutes? I want to get a little information .relative to a 
matter that is of int^ros-lf to you— a matter that I am working on. 



25. 

t 

The BlackmallGr . 

All right Thanl: jou, Judge.I '11 be here.-( He hangs the receiver up 

for a moment ;looks in telephone book; takes receiver down)— '-entral, 
give mc ll?j,in 9938. I want to speak to Dr.Smallwood.please. I'hat you. 
Doctor? — This is -^at Gully at Headquairters— 'yes.Pat Gully. I want to see 
you about a matter that it; of interest to ;,'0u. Will you kindly come to 
my office an hour from now ; say , ab out four O'clock-(he takes out his 
watch;looks at it)— Shank you»2octor. -( he hangs the receiver up; 
looks in telephone book; takes the receiver dov/n again) — Central, give me 

Cliff 1346. Is this the Heverened David Devine's residence? I want to 

speak to him, please. Your daddy , Soimy, not little Davio J — ( he grins) 

Is that yoii,rir.DevineY — This is Pat Gull^' speaking Gully — &-u^l-ly ,at 

i'olice Headquarters.— -Yes— I want to see you at my office say, about 

four thirty this afternoon on an important matter that interests you. — 
Thank you.Parson."— ( he grins as he hangs up the receiver. — A few mo- 
ments elapse ;he makes notes in hie book;lcoks at the photographs and 
papers in the case.) 

Judge 3ethel:-{ door opens;offic8 boy ushert him in;he looks anxious; 
hurries up to Gully's desk) 

" Want to see me, Gully?" 
Pat Gully :-( looks cordial ;holds out his hands ;they shake hands;Bethel 
looks worried) 

" Hello, Judgei I hope I did'nt hurry you." 
Judge Bethel :-(8Jixiously and nervously) 

" Uo,no,I v/as coming this way, so I came right on-I 'm on my way 
home.V.hat did you want to sec me about, Gully?" 
Pat Gully •-( very cordially) 

" why sit down, Judge, won't you have a cigar? "-(he offert^ him 
a cigar, wliich ho takes from his ;Ocket) 
Judge Bethel: -(waves the cigar away;looks nervous) 



26. 

The Blaokinailer « 

" Wo thank you- I don't sraoko." 
Pat Gully;-( looks astonished) 

" VVhy when did you quit, Judge?" 
Judge Bethel :-( looks conf sed.and rather despenite) 

" I-I-inean-I'iu not smoking today ." 
Pat Gully :-{ lights the cigarjstarts to smoke) 

" You don't object. to my smoking — Do you, Judge?" 
ITudge Bethel :- 

" Certainly not-( rube his hands)-I'm in a little of a hurry 
today, Gully, anything special?" 
Pat Gully: -( looks at hiui through the cigrr smoke) 

" Bettor sit dovm,Judge,I want to tr.lk to you about the Smallwood 
case.'' ( he puts the cigar back in his moith) 
Judge j3ethel:-( heaves a sigh of relief;looks releived;sitt; in the chair) 

" Smallwood case J Oh yes!" 
Pat Gully:-( takes the cigar from his mouth;holds it between himself 
and Judge Bethel; grins a wicked grin) 

" IVliy yes. Judge, v;hat other case could I mean?— Mrs. Small wood told 
me that you were her lawyer, and to confer with you.( Gully looks inno- 
centl^' curious; Judge Bethel looks nervous) — She wants me to locate this 

Bessie woman, and the child-little -i^ennie- 

Jud^-.e i3ethel:-( jumps excitedly up) 

"i-ittle v7ho?" 
Pat Gully:- 

" I mean littl*^ Sammio-( Judge -^^ethel calms down; sits again )-so 
that you can proceed at once v/ith her petition for divorce. Seems to mo 
that the Doctor has gotten himself into a oad mess." 
Judge B ethel: - " He has indeed:" 
Pat Gxiiiy:- " He was certainly careless to keep a photograph of the child in 



27. 

The Blackmailer . 

his desk, with'-' little isananie to his Daddy-big Sanmie-* written on the 

hack of it." 

Judge Bethel :-( jumps up) 

" By George.that's so,GullyJ-He's a fool-a fool-a big fool .'-any man 
v^oiild bei — say, I '11 see you later-I've got to go back to my office a mo- 
ment— I-I-I-l oft something there— a-a-present for my wife~I-I-l'm 
afraid the janitor might steal it." 
Pat Gully: -( looks at his watch; smiles) 

" Miy its too early for the janitor to clean up now-It's only 
three thirty. Just 7ra.it a moment-I won't keep you long. I am forming a 
theory regarding the Cmallwood case, and I xvant to test it. I find that 
Urs.Smallwood has a very great regard for your opinion -( Judge ij jthel 
looks important )- she will do about as you say in the mattor-( Judge 
Bethel looks pleased) -I want you to induce her to be guided by me also- 
in other words, to follow my plan to the letter. I am going to sift this 
matter to the bottom-in other words :find Bettie,and little Sammie for 

her 

Judge Bethel: ( jumps up;looks excited) 

" Bettie i" 
Pat Gully: ( waves his hand) 

" I mean Be3Sie -( Judge Bethel calms down; takes his seat again) 
How, -Judge, I have'nt your high standing in the community, being as you 
are a lawyer with a fine reputation,and I'M nothing but a detective 
with nothing but a good character;but before I'd a dealt my -.vife f..m\ 
family-if I owned such things-the hand that Dr. Small wood has dealt his 
wife ..nrt little girl, with this Bessie creature and that little Boimie— 
Judge Bethel :-( jumps again) 

" Little Benniell" 



28. 

\ The Blackmailer . 

Pat Gully: -( waves his hand reassuringly) 

" I mean Sammie- ( Judge Bethel calns dov/n;sits again)-I'd-I 'd-I 'd a 
joined the white ribboners and took up sky-piloting for a real living, 
instead of for a diversion.'' 
Judge Bethel :-( frov^TxS dis^approvingly ) 

" Does look bad for a man, who is a father already." 
Pat Gully: -( looks keenly at him) 

" iuid a husband already." 
Judge Bethel :-( confusedly) 

" That's so-That's so — ( he rises;tums to the door)-All right, Cully, 
I'll see my client, and urge her to be guided by osiir plans that you may 
makev-Good morning." — — — ( He esitr, — a few momc-ntn elapse-door opens ngai n- 
office boy shows Dr. Small wood in-eloses door) 
Dr.Smallwood:-( walks hurriedly up to the desk) 

" '.Veil, Gully, what can 1 dc for?-V.'ant your appendix cut cat?" 
Pat Gully: -( laughs ;holds out hie hand;thoy shake hands) 

" Hello, Doc. , no, not today thanks-later on you may feel more like carv- 
ing me up.j^ake that chair. -( •'^octor sits in the chair) 
Dr. ;:>mallwood • - 

'• »Veli, what's the good word?" 
Pat Cully :- 

" I want to talk to you about the ' Dovlne and little^ lavie' case. 
Krs.Devine has employed me to v/crk on it for her." 
Dr.Smallwood:- 

r " l»ve got a hurry call for that woman nowi — She's got the 'V/illies' . 

Becauce the parson's been acting like a David, instead of a Joseph — sVonen 
are so unreasonable] — 2:hey jeer at the shirt tail grabbing Josephs, and fall 
all over themselves about the sweet singing, women hugging Davids; yet .they 
( demand that their own husbands grab their coat tails anl run, when a Mrs. 



29. 



The Blaclonallor. 



Potiphar snilesi — queer things, females areiJ — f ho shakes his head, as If 

puzzled ) 

Pat Gully: -( pensively) 

" I don*t own one." 
Doctor £inallwood:-( eciphatieally) 

" TrJrc my advice, Gully, never o-wn one;through the Church door, or 
the haCi': door. Chen yoiT're your o;m man, end can snap your fingers r.t the 
whole drum sex J" 
Pat Gully: -( reflectively) 

" Doc, you speak feelingly." 
Dr.Cniallwood:-( sighing) 

•• ..'ell, Gully,. I'm a huslirnd and a phyBician;end I-I-focl sor.-y for 
^t poor Dcvil-^evine— Vshat dii"; he go and get caught for?— i.liy did'nt he 
lie like a man about it?" 
Pat GrJ.ly:- 

"«hy,she found the picture of the kid in his desk, with this written 
on the "back:-' his hr.ir ic black, like his daddy-David *d, from -'•'i2?:ie*; besides 
a lot of other dope, enough to queer any man ^7iti■l his wife-even a sky-pil oti' 

Doctor £nall>700d:-( drops his mouth open) 

I "Is that sog-^The silly assJi — ( he jumps up) — Say, Gully, I'm a lit- 
tle rushed this morning, ?!.nd I forgot — I forgot — a-a-box of iierve pills for 

the Parson's wife poor womanI-( he starts for the door) — I'll cee you 

another time." 
Pat Gully: - 

" iVait just a minute, Doc. ,-( the doctor pauses)-! won't keep you 

Long.-( the doctor slov/ly returns ;fidgets about the desk) — Mrs.Devine thinks 

!a lot of you-you're her doctor, and she knows that you are a fine upstand- 

jing man, with nothing to be ashamed of." 

Doctor Smallwood:-( jeers) 



30. f 

The Blackmailer , 

" Aw, cut that out, Gully-cut out tho flulidut^-You did'nt get me here to 
soft soap iae did you?" 
Pat ^iaiy:-( grins) 

" I am telling you what Llrn .Deviae thln3:s of you, Doc." 
Doctor Smallwood:-( grins sheepishly) 

" Oh.yesJ-ehe thinks I ara a Hell of a fine raan;you think I may he a 
Hell of a felloe: —Well, out with it?— What in the Hell do you want me to do? 
I've got to get back to my office ,to keep from getting into some protty 
real Hell of my ovm,may"be — ( ha looks as if he had said too much) — and — 
and — to get those nerve pills, so get a move on yourself — out with it — 
get it out of your systeml" 
Pat Gully: -t laughs aloiid) 

" I only wint yo;; to induce Mrs.Devine to do as I suggest to her, in her 
case-follow mjr trail. '2311 her that I v;lll lead her out of the wilderness, 

and get rid of her present bug-a-hoo-little Sammie " 

Doctor Smallwood:-( eyos pop;h0 jumps) 

" Little Caiumiei:" 
Pat Gully :- 

" I mean little Davie - ( the doctor grins )-I've got a hunch that I wil^ 
be able to clear the atmosphere for her in a short time — Tell her so for 
toe, and impress upon her mind to do exactly as I say. I'm sure sorry for her. 

The sky-pilot ought to be ashamed of himstlf for sicj'-larking with Beside? 
I 
iDootor Smallv;ood:-( jumps) 

^ " The Hall.'" 

Pat Gftiiy: -(hurriedly) 

" I mean Li sale." 

jl Doctor Smallwood:-( quiets down) 

" He has been a bit too frisky for a father of seven other little 



31. 

psalra singors.All right .Gully, I'll tr;- to get his '.vespirg spouse to go it 
blind, jind do as yoii say;sho may listen to us,ar. she is marriefl. to anothor 
man."-{ he starts tovrcirfl the door) 
Pat Gully: -( laughs) 

■ Thank you, Doc, If you ever need my help; just lot no loiow," 
Doctor DEiallwood:-( waves his. hand €>t the dctective,:i3 ho loaves the door) 
"I'm ono of the sinless Josephs, Gully ;'beEict.eE, I know how to lie 

liJ:e a gontlsi:iau."-{ both men l£.ugh;Doctor Smallwood escits A fev; 

momenti: elapse; the office boy opens the door;ushers the Severened David 
Dovino into the room;closeG the door. The preacher f)t07>fi irresolutely 
near thv: inside of the doer) 
Pat Gully: -f encouragingly ) 

" Come in; take that chair; I uon't hurt you." 
David -.)evine:-i iidva,nces to the desk; sits in chair;looks piously frightened) 

" Ho\Y csn £ serve i>ou,Kr. Mr.Tully?" 

Pat Gaily :-{ emx^hatically) 

" Gully , Oully -Pat Gully, detcctiv:; for unearthing hidden crimes-" 
I uess you nay have heard of me;I'vo heard a lot ahout you." 
D.Devino:-( rubs his handp nervously;looks frightened and ralseraole) 

" Yes?" 
Pat Gully :- 

" ^QS — Mrs. -Bethel ym.-s telling ne ho\7 much she valued your friendship 
and advice ,.-:inoo she has discovered that the dudgo has frisky habits, 
and she is In so much distress." 

D.Devine:-( looks releived;sigh£;rollr. hit eyes upward ;f olds his hands 
over hiG stomach) 

" Yes indeed, this is truly a horrible affair.'" 
Pataully:- 

" So horrible, that she has -employed me to discover the whereabouts 



32, 

f 

The r^laolcnailer . 

of thia Lxz.i.ie " 

]).Devine:-( Ji^aps high in his chair) 

" Liz25ie;:" 
Pat Gully :- 

^ I mean Bettie and little P.emiie-' D.Dovino resumes his devout at- 
titude) — She w:intB to heap coals of fire on the Judge's head by adopting 
the ohild-owiiig to your divino influence for good- (D.De vine looks voxy 
pious and good)-thQn she v^ill have a stick to belabor him with for life," 
D.rjovine:-( piously ;his hjindc devoutly folded) 

" I fe;jl sure that Sister Bethel's motives ai*e pure in the matter." 
Pat Cully :- 

" Sure thingi-tVorueii's ffiotives are alxrays pure, but you can't tell 
what iK back of the r>iotivfif?." 
D.J)evlne:-( i^icusl^' ; 

" Tjieter Bethel is doiug a Christian a.(at,iu rciurii for a great 
wrong-r. terrible sini"-( he roll hie eyec ux>;Ghakes his head) 
Pat Gull,v:-( looka tjneeringly at him;grins) 

" And Ehu wante me to be her 'go getter 'lor little Bem;ie.I'in on to 

my job all right ;but i want you to influence her, to give rae a lone hand 

and follow jjoy lead an I deal the cards." 

D-r)evino:-( apparently greatly shocked) 

" Do 1 understand that you v/ant her to angage in a gaiabling gameii" 

Pat Gully :-{ genially) 

" IJot the kind you arc thinking of-Don't worry, Birson, I '11 not 
oorirupt the lady — I'll be as pure-a^. pure as you are — God save the mark!- 

( aside )-I only n'ant to find little Davie " 

D.i)ovinG:-( spring up wildly) 

'* Littlo Davie; i J" 

Pat iiully:-( soothingly) 



S3. 

'^ The Blackmailer, 



" I mean little Bennie for her, but 1 want to do it in my ovm way — See?" 
D.Devine:-( rolls his eyes;looks bewildered) 

" I-I-I-guess so, Mr. Sully." 
Pat Gully: -( shouts) 

" Gully-Gully G-U-L"L~Y-Gully. the detective ] 1 1 " 
D.r'evine:-( meekly) 

" Yes, G-u-1-l-y, Gully." 
Pat Gully: -{ gruffly] 

I " Its a weakness of mine to have my name called right. How Judge 

Bethel kept a photograph of that kid in his desk; of coixrse his wife found 
it-wives always do, sooner or later,and— — > 
D.Devine:-( jumps wildly up; starts for the door) 

"I've got to go— -I'm in an awful hurry— '-My GodiJ — I've got to go to 
mjt study at once— and--and — finish my sermonil" 
Pat ^ully:-( seems astonished) 

"Wait a minute, Par son, You've got five days to finish that sermon," 
D.Devine:-f rushes to the door;looks back;Pat Gully follows him;grabs at 
his coat tails) 

" Yes-yes-I know, but I just thought of something to-to -,f;et out — 
no-no-no-I mean to put in — and I've got to hurry — I'll tell Mrs. Bethel 

to do just what you say, Mr. Bully " 

, Pat Gully :-( falls against the door jamb;laughB loudly) 

i 

" Well, I '11 be damned '.'i" 

Curtain. 

\ 

Interval of tv/o weeks. 



34. 

•7 

The .Blackmailer . 

Same scene-Two weeks later. Interior of Detective 'b office. 

Pat Gully: -( comes briskly in;walkF to his desk;takes telephone boo2i;looks 

up number, takes receiver down) 

" Hello! -That you, Central? — Give me Llain 8432.-- Is this Judge Bethel's 

residence? — I would like, to speak to Mrs. Bethel, please. — Yes. Mrs . Bethel 

I knov7 the Judge is at his office. 1 v/ant to speak to his wife , Mrs. Bethel 

-none of your business who it is-( angrily) That you, Mrs. Bethel?- (he 

speaks very politely now)— This is Pat G lly. — I've located Bettie and 

little Bennie for you Yes Yes Yes Eere-in this town. — I can take 

you :jid the Parson there any time, but I would 'nt be in such a hurry about 

the adoption papers Come to my office first Yes — any time — Yes— this 

morning will suit me. — Yes, good looking kid. — Only so, so- her mouth too big. 

All right— that's all right Hair yellow? — Yes — I'll tell you all about 

him.v.'hen I see you. — -In a few moments? All right. 

( ue laughs as he hangs up the receiver; takes telephone book;looks for 

nui-iber; takes receiver dovm) 

" This Central? — Give me Cliff 6782. This Joctor Smallwood's 

residence? I know the Doctor's making his calls — I want to speak to Mrs. 

I 

Smallwood ^ill right Is this Mrs. Smallwood?— This is Pat Gully speaking* 

Yes-Yes-Yes,! have-Here , in this tovm— Don't be in such a hurry-( he puts 
h; hand over the receiver;laughs)— Bessie and little Sammie v/ill keep— 

^ >/ant to see you first before you go there Yes, that will ruit me— I'll 

■ o here all morning Got red hair?— sure thing.— Pretty?— IJo, she's ugly 

. a mud fence. t^ood bye That's all right.— Coming at once in a taxi? 

AH right. — ( he laughs, as he hangs receiver up;looks for number in tele- 

phone book;takes receiver down) 

" Central'— Gimme Cliff 1346.— Is this the residence of the 
j^verened David Devino?--IsJie in?-Out,is he?-f j,e puts bif. Vard over 



35. 

The Blaokmaller . 

the mouth-pi doe, and grins ; saying :)-' That's just what I'lowed' — ( then he 
removes his hernd from the mouth-pi^ ce of the telephone; continues to talk 
over it)-''I would like to speak to llrB.De vine, pi ease. — «In the bath-room, 
"bathing little Davie? — —Well, ask her to step to the phone a moment, while 

you go and scrub little Davie awnile. iJo, Sissy, I'm not crazy now, but I 

was bug-house awhile about a little Davie — Is that you.Mrs.Devine? (his 

voice grows respectful) — This is Pat Giaiy. I've found little Davie and 

Lizzie, for you: Don't cry] I ( his voice grows desperate ] — Please don't 

' OTjlll-( he turns and speaks aside;puts his hand over the mouth-piaoe ) — 
My GodJ-she's bawling like a calf J J — ( he takes his hand from the mouth- 

1 piGoe;talks over the telephone again) — Black hair? Sometimes— Say now, 

liadam. please don't cry like that] — I want to talk to you about it Ho , 

she's ugly as the very DevilJi ^es- u^ly as siniJI All right — ^That's 

talking] i J Yes — Here in this town. My God. PLEASE don't cry any moreJi 

( he shows all the signs of an exasperated man) — go — Ho— certainly I wont 
tell the Presiding Elder — ( aside )-'v;hoever the Guy is'— nor the Bishop's 
wife about little Davie Coming to my office at once? All right 

I Doctor Smallwood's out making calls ;you can see him later — Good bye—" 
( he hangs up the receiver; opens a drawer of his desk; takes out the three 

j photographs; lays them on the desk;gets three bundles of papers;lays tliom 

' by the photographs; gets a cigar from his pocket ; lights it; leans back in 

(his ohair;looks pleased;blows rings of smoke to the ceiling; watches the 
, rings, with half closed eyes;says:-) " After this, the fireworks.' i J" 

( Door opens) 
}. Mrs.Smallwood:-( comes hurriedly in;goes to desk;spaaks in an excited 

manner) " Well?" 

Pat Gully: -( throws his cigar away;looks at her) 

" Good moming,iirs.Smallwood." 
( Door opens again) 



'^ 



36. 

The Elaclcnialler . 

Mrs.Bethel:-{ comes hurriedly in;goes to desk;speaks in an excited and 

anxious manner) 

" Well?" — ( she looks at Mrs. Small wood in surprise, v/ho returns 
the look in iiind) — »>hy,good morning, Mrs. Smallwood,I-I-did'nt know tliat 
you h; d "business with Mr,Gully.*" 

( Door opens) 
Mrs.revine:-( comes hurriedly in;goes to deok;speaks in an excited, 
^ weepy, and anxious manner. The other tv70 women look at her in surprise; 
she has on a thick veil ) 

" ^Vell? ( she looks at the other two women;raises her veil) 

^^'hjfgood. morning, Sister Bethel, and Sister Small^70od:I did'nt knov/ that 

you had business with Mr, Gully?" 

Mrs. Bethel and MrB.Smallwood:-( in unison) 

" neither did I ahoat youJJ" 
{ All three ladies look at each other curiously, and with suspicion) 
Pat Gully: -( waves his hajid to three chair near his desk) 

" Have seats, ladies, I can talk to you all at once, as well as 
singly. — ( all three take seats ;look wonderingly at him, and suspicioiis- 
ly at each other ;he takes the three photographs from the desk; shuffles 
them in his hands, and hands them, one by one, to each lady;then leans 
back in his chair, looking earnestly at them; they glance at each other; 
I then glance hurx'iedly.each at the picture given them;hide it behind 
their hand-bags; look sideways at each other; then at him) 
All three womcin:-( in unison) 

" Well?" 
Pat Giilly:-{ takes another cigar from hir pocket ; examines it) 

" Look again at your pictures, Ladies." 
( puts unlighted cigar in his raouth;chews on it;watches thorn, xhe^- 



37. 



The Blackiiiailer . 

all grab their photographs ;look at the picture of the child, holding 
the photograph out of the view of the others) 
All three woman: -( sharply, and in unison) 

" Well?" 
Pat Gully: -( calmly; cigar on one side of his mouth) 

" Look at the hottom of your pictures .Ladies." 
(All three women again grah their photographs; read what is at the bottom; 

they jump up; crowd to his desk) 
Mrs.Smallwobd:-( holds out her photograph) 

" This isn't the picture I gave you;itB the same picture, but 
its not the one I had i— -This one says:-' Little Bennie to his DaddyiJi" 
{ she looks suspiciously at him;then at Mrs. Bethel) 
Mrs.Bethel:-( holds out her photograph) 

" This says: -'Little Davie to his DaddyJ.'i" ( she looks 

wildly at him; and suspiciously at Mrs.Devine) 
Mrs.Devine:-( holds out her photograph) 

" And this one says:-' Little Sammie to his Daddy-Big Saimniei.'I" 
( uhe looks wildly at him; suspiciously at Mrs.SmallwoodJ 
Pat Gully:-( calmly;cigar in one corner of has mouth;8peaks to all 
three women) 

" Its the same picture, isn't it?" 
All three wonien:-{ in chorus) 

" Yes, but f I they point to the writing at the bottom of each 

photograph) 

Pat Gully: -( laconically) 

" Txim em over". 
( Each woman flops her photograph over; read what is at the top; look 
\7ildly at him;sur.piciously,at each other-Mrs. Bethel, at Mrs.Devine; 



■^ 



38. 

The Blackmailer . 

Mrs. Small wood, at Mrs. Bethel ;Mrs.Devine at Mts.Smallwood. ) 
Mrs.Smallwood:-( holds her photograph out to him) 

" This isn't my picture nt all*— l-ook what Ib on the back:-' His 
hair if. yellow , like hiJ3 daddy's, from Bettlo J] ' — rind there is a lot of 
poetry too-( she speaks in great scorn; angrily shakes the photograph)-- 
This means, that little Sammie isn't little Sammie at all ; he is little 

Bennie l * — And he has yellow hairill and — and — he belongs to your - 

( she turns angrily to LIrs. Bethel )-blond, brute of a husband, who tried 
to induce me to divorce my own poor , injured husband i!.' — The yellow 

headed wretchiil ( she angrily ws,ves the photograph in the air) 

Mrs,i3ethel:-( holds out her photograph; speaks excitedly) 

" This isn't mine either — ListenJ — ' Kis hair is black, Hike 
yours, from Lizzie '— —That proves . that little Bennie is little Davie.' — 
f she looks condemningly at I'lrs.Devine )-• *'black,like yours] i' — every^ 
body loiows that yellow hair can't be mistaken for black hair, but som^ 
people -( here she looks contemptuously at Ltrs.Smallwood) might call rdd 
hair, yellow — ( she shakes her head;looks di8gusted)and Bessie could 

easily changed into -Bettie .by people who did'nt care for forgery.' J I 

There's poetry on mine too]-( she looks disgusted) — And you can tell 
that old hypocrite of a husband of yours-( she turns to Mrs.Devine)- 
who is always preaching to other people- that he can induce yo u to adopt 
thiB-( she waves the photograph in the face of LIrs.Devine) horrid littl.. 
Bennie, who has now turned out to be a black haired little Davie I.* J 

( she looks daggers at the other two women) 
Mrs.Devine:-( waves her photograph in the air;gasps;weeps;seems about to 
have a fit) 

" Its not black — its not black — it can't be blacki — listen to this:- 
{ she reads from her photograph)- 'His hair is red. like his daddy^'s. 



39. 

The Blackmailer. 

from Bessie'—- See? — Its not black 4-llttle Davie isn't little Davie 

eitherll — -He's turned out to be little Sammlei He's got red hair J i- 

if he was a Davie, he'd have to have black hair, but its red . and nobody 

could ever say that red was blacklll — Could they?-( she asks this of 

the detective ,as she weeps wildly. They are all excited ;he is calmly 

contemplative of them all) And this Bessie thing has written poetry 

to your mean, old husband too, who said that a preacher s family was 

like an omnibus-always room for one more-( she says this to Mrs.Smallwood) 

and that I ought not to object ajiother,lf it was another little DavieiJI 

( she boo-hoos) 

Pat Gully :-( quietly) 

" Ladies, read the verses on the back." 

*All three women :-( read aloud; in concert) 

" Fair Lizzie, gay Bessie, plump Bettie,and Bess, 

w'ent out one fine day to feather their nest; 

They each found a man, whose leg they could pull; 

Till the whole pile of gold, would fill a jug full. 

UsinfT Bennie.and Davio,and Billie,and Sammie; 
Each dad was soon made to shell out for his lambie. 
With red hair and black, light brovm and bright yellow. 
Each kidlet was voted 'a fine little f ellowl ' 

These daddies grinned wide, like a fat Chesire cnt; 
V.liile the three Bs.and Lizzie bought many a hat; 
^or the sub-rosa gold seemed never to stop, 
I Though things at three homes buzi^ed around, like a top. 

■But matters at last grew so terribly mixed. 
That the multiplied dads found themselves in a fix. 
Three rampagious v/ives made their own homes so hot. 
That they each felt condemned to a terrible lot!" 

All three women :-{ in an astonished chorus) 

" V/hat is it?" 

Pat Gully :- 

" A conundrum." 
All:-( in chorus) 

" lShat*s the ajaswer?" 



40. 

The Blackmailer. 



Mrs . Smallwood : - 

" Is it red?" 
Mrs.Bethel:- 

" Is it yellow?" 
Mrs.Devine:-( sobs J 

" Is it black?" 
Pat Gully:-( chews on his cigar;speaks mysteriously; the three 
women listen;look excited;stand around his desk;look deeply 
interested ;hold their photographs in their hands) 

" Come alone tonight to room twenty one of the St. 
Joseph's Hotel. 

Be there promptly at eight o'clock ^ell no one" * You will 

then get an answer to the conundrumi" 

( He rises ns he delivers the above; stands with his hands 
on his desk, in an impressive attitude. 
The three women stand in front of him, with the photographs 
in their hands; an expression of complete mystification 
on their faces. 

Stage darkened. Lights flashed on their faces before 
the curtain descends, iheir faces express every emotion: 
wonder, curiosity, mystification, and the most intense interest. 



>^ 



41. 

The Blaokmailer . 

He looks like some kind of a seer, or a Sherlock Holmes) 



Curtain- 



End to ACt II. 



i^ 



SVi' ^ ^^'^ 



^^.j'lU 



The Blackmailer . 
■^^ \ 3 Act III. 



^%^^ 



That Same HiKht, 



Interior of two bed-rooms, t-lde hy side, at the St Joseph Hotel. 



©cio 



3430-> 



gho Dlacknailor. 
Act IjCI . 
That nlrJht . ^ 

-WO bed-roomc side by side. Poor in ymll between, noar footlights. \ 

oom to ri(^t — hue a door to rii:ht near footlights ; telephone on vtall 
to left of this door;table iicar centre of room.A dresser, washetand; 
a bed and a chair about the room. 

•ooQ to left— -has a door to r<»ir; on rear vmll of room, to ri^t of ^ 
roar door, is a telephone ;bed, to rear right of room.(Jaa this bed are 
several elaborate hats; several hat boxes under bed.Dresser against 
left vjall of room near f ootlights-this droooer is Just opposite tho 
door bet neon the t?70 rocansia table, betwoon the dresser and tho door 
in wall between the two xoosm; on the table is a lottor and a tolegram, 

. rockor ana a straight ohalr on each side of t^^ble.A tvash-ctand.with 

bowl and pitcher, aad towels, Gainst left ?»aH of rocan. oa drossor, 

are toilet article8;a hrjnd-ba{j;a nioke-up box;c<»ib oni brash ;r>o;7der- 

I 
box etc. In the top drawer of dresser, are three curlv child's wige- | 

red, yellow, and blaok;a pair of 8oissor8;a roll of adhesive plaster; 

four largo photographs-one of Judge Bethel, one of Doctor :3aallwood, 

one of David Devinejand one of The ^.ld,like the ones used in the 

other Acts. A set of building blooks;a roci:iiig~horso;and a srmll 

wngon are on the floor, in front of tho table. Kid's cap.irx drepsor drawer, 

Three white suits fox The Ilid-oiae. trii-ir.Gd in blue, one in red,and ^ane 

plain white one-in dresoor drawer. 

■ The iiid, seated on floor, placing with the buildino; blocks. 

Elizabeth Brown is trying on j 



\ 



A3, glie lOacIonailer. 



a lirit i.i front of t]io nirror of drosijor. 

Tlie Kid:- (piling up the blocks in a liigh pilo) 

"Cay IlaT?, I*m hiuigry." 
Elisaboth BroT<'Ti:~ (turning to first one nlde and then the othor; 
looking at herself 5 spesirs abEontly) 

"AH right. Kid, in a r.iinute." (continuos to tr/ict .iibout 

before the mirror; takes off hat; puts it on t]ie hed; £ets onothor 
one; trie;.: it on before tjio Liirror) 
The Kid:- ( throat eningly) 

"I*n lu iuf^y , I tell you J If you don't r^ct a move on you— 
1*11 toll all my daddies on youj" 
Elisabeth Br \rai- (sharply) 

"Thon yoa r/culdii't get any laoro candy and play pretties." 
The Kid : - ( cunningly ) 

"And ^pvL wouldn't gftt no more money to buy hats tvith 
neither!" 
Eliisabeth Brorm:- i>'?j;i;-:rlly) 

"Oh, sJut up, you 1 ttl3 devili — You run me crazyi" 
The Kid:-(k(iocks tlie pile of blocks do\?n; i.penkG rof].octively and 
philOGophienlly ) 

"Gittiii* mad, don't buy you nothin* -you'd ortor cTo like 
ciy preaciiln* daddy says:-'K.ine rrordf- t"um a',7ay v^^tli, but fToacy 
T/ordo stirry up angryi" 
Elisabeth Bro\rn:- 

"I'll see that stingy old raut shovelling- coal doun below, 
before I list on to any moro of his dope. "(puts on a street hat from 
the bed; gets the Kid's co-p from the dresser; tlirows it to hin; he 



44. She l5]L0,el2nailer» 



Jtimps up; puto tlio cap on; she carefully lookc tl-c top drav/er of 
the drccf;or; puto tlie koy in lior hand-liag, wh.ich olio tafeo frora tlio 
di'GOcor; ooc to t".o door bot^voai i.I:.e tvTO rocnis* tries tho key in 
fi-.G lock, to seo tlif.t t}io door 3b locked; takes a key froa }ier hfiiid- 
"bag; puts it in tlio door to r^ar- opons door- child follor;3 her) 
Tjie Kid:- (c'lriouoly) 

" When ic my preaching daddy soi^x> "to Sell, iaav;?" 
(they c.-^rit; Lhe locks fliO doer "behind thoro) 

At the l)sr;i:.-jrii r; ci" the conv.orcation in the room to tlic left; tho 
door, to rifrht of room to right of ?tage, ope.-sj aiid Pat Gully 
enters. Ho carries .? bundle in his arms. lie lays the 'bundle dov/n 
on the tahlo; locks the door to right; spreads the contents of the 
hi.mdle on tbe table* The contents of bundle are:-a pair of ha.id- 
euffs» several large nails, a lumo of putty, a Esnall paint bruoh, a 
can of paint- the color of tiie :?loor7 a lar^je brace & bit, some 
v.dre, and a larno bundle of a.oor keys. He tiptoes about the room; 
goes to the door betxreon tlio t\70 roor.s; listens i hears ■"jliom tallring; 
gets a ch.air; puto it by tho door; cits in th.e chair; listens; grins 
as tho lock is tried to the door betv;een two roonis* *''hen he h.ears 
t!\c outside door to tho other ri^om locked; he juinps up; gets tho 
bimc of keys; trios them until he finds one tioat will fit t>.o lock; 
he opens the door; walks in; looks arotuid the room; notes tlic loca- 
tion of each piece of f'lrniture; reads the letters aaid telograms 
on tho tabic; lays thorn back carefully as tr.cy were; hurries back 
into his room; gets the br9«e and bit; ^ ores throe holes in th^e 
door about five feet sis Inches high; then bores three more bout 
tirroe foot Mgh; carefully scrapes up the oar/-dust fron the floor; 
fits putty into the holes*, sticks a n.iiil ijito oach piece of jmtty; 



45. 

Tlie Blacfaiallor . 

nith the na.ll projecting; into liic room; t ictc tlio putty aroiind 
in tj!e laoles so tl\at it cen easily he remcved, "by piillinr^ it out 
by tie nail; gets tlio esja of pQ,i..it, and tho brusli; paints over the 
liolee, po that they vrcn't sJiow; sliuts and locks tho door o.{:oln. In 
a fen ininutos Elisabeth and the Zid return. She takes off :.nr 
hat; TDe[!:ins a^^ain to try on the others, that are in the "box under 
the iDod. 

The Kid:- (tosses his cop on the floor; r^es to the rockin;:-horoo; 
plays with i'v> tail) 

"Say Maw, why didn't God raako four daddies for that little 

hoy 'jpstairs? He's a o^ood little hoyj- (spealcc ar. if a hrich^ 

thought had suddenly etruch him J --I'm r-oin' to ^^-ive him one of 
nine- Say ,JIfew, I'm jroin' to rlvo him n^ proocher daddy, wouldn't 
yoii?--lIo don't ive mo any nielrl.es- Jtiist old pennioG."~(he cpeaks 
in tonec of great diij^oust) 

Elisahoth Bror:n:- (openo her Iiajid-l ag: taken out a roll of hills, 
coimtG thorn; speaks r''i; gaintecily) 

"He'c some tifh.t-wad, rure; hut y u laustn't toll other 

little hoyo ^^hout your aat'^diosJJ (oho opoako very sternly to hinj 

The 2:idj- (geto on hi? roekinf horBo) 

"imy?" 
Elisahoth Brown: - (sliarply) 

"Because J" 
The Kid:- (rocking: r.iipidly on home) 

" .ill I he damned, if I do?" 
Eli-oheth BroT.Ta:- (acliiionishinr:ly) 

"Don't talk ugly." 



46. 

glie Blaclnnailor . 

The Kid-j- (still roeldln^j) 

"Lly doctor daddy oayrs tliat." 
Elizal)*tli Erovm:- (puts money "b.-^clc in :iand-"bag;put8 it in tlio draw- 
er of the clroccor; unclGr Gcmo th ngs) 

"Don't talk 00 nucli," 
Tlie Kid:- ( ctiil rocking^ 

"I like ny yellow lieadod daddy, lie give d me thic horco; 
lie talks lota too— Say, Usxi, v7iion*s ray daddy coming back-tho one 
witli the "bi !o.at— (ho -iunrps off the liorso-'bogiiiD to '-a3,k about the 
room eo\7-boy like- grabr ono of trie lolg hate on the bed, pxito it on 

on Jiis liead; sr/aggero aroiind the room, swin e hat around; t?i:.ox7s 

it on the flour- aiizabeth B^ G\rloks; r:rabs vqy the hat and shakos 

him) 

•The kid;- 

"^I like niy covz-boy dadd; the bent anyhow. I»ra going to 

toll him on you. I don't Iiavo to v/ear an old t;ig vihen lie'e- hero." 

Elizabeth 13r w.u:- (amoothinr; out her hat J 

"I like liira best too, but you muat beliavo youruolf. " 

(when tiie kid begins to walk around tho ro::m like a cow-boy^ Pat 
Gully, in the ncrit rocm, takers telephone book; looks for number; 
takes dOTOi the rocoivor from the \7allJ 
Pat Gully:- (in hi a ov/n natural tone of voice) 

"Contra:., give no liain 7654 (he nor; chane;0s li4c tone 

of voice to imitate Eli^aboth BroTOi»s voice)— I v;:^nt to cpoojc to 

Judg Bctliel, ploaso This is Eettio, 1 must soo yo tonight 

at 8 o'clock— cono tonight, inr:tead Yov.—Vn going av;ay 



47. 

TIio Blackraallor . 

tornorrov;. If you bring th© J500.00 v/'itli you — v;lll you?— —All 
riglit. (liG chnjiijes lii£; voice to Ita natural tono, hangs up tlio ro- 
ceivor a momont, teJcoa it dcv.Ta at^iin-callo)- — "Is tlila tlio ofxioo? 
Connect me witli teiopiioiiu to rooii 2^ please, (then he initatiiGS 
Jud^ro Bethel's voice) Is tli;it you Jiettie? " 
Eli::abeth Brovm;- (at phone) u)his is i;ie-Is th-'t you?" 
Pat rriilly:- (at phono) 

"Yes, I'n coi.'ilii^- to sec lit Lie Bennie tind you tonight 
about G o*clock-I*vo go \; the money for you." 
Eliaabeth Erotm:- (at phono) 

"You ImvoJi 1 neoa it arrfully i*m broke." 

Pat Sully:- (at phono) 

''All rlc^t, 1*11 flj; you up for a ^/hile "oodbyo." 

(both han( up tl^o r eeiver ftf tlioir srosoective phones) 
The Kid:- 

"iniich daddy \7o.g tl'iat?'' (playing with his blocks) 
Elisabeth BroTTu:- 

"Oh, oiiat was your yellow headed daddy . He*c; coning 
to soo you tonir:ht and you*vo .-"^ot to bo a good boy." (she then 
dances around the rasmas if very mucli pleased) 

Pat Gul?uy:- (4n Jiis room, looks in t^ie telephone book; to-kes down 
receiver-calls in his natural voice) 

"Is t-.is Central? 1 T7.?Jit i.:ain ?OSG (he mV-.ics 

Eliaabeth Brcraa'a voice) i^liat you doctor?- This is Bessie — I 

have decideo to £;o— I've t7ot to have O^OO.OO first I'm. botmd 

to have that rauch or I can't ro— Cone tonight if you get it — - 
9 o'clock 1*11 f.ct off tomorrow; sure you*ll got lt?-All 



48. 

ghG Blackmail or > 

riii'ht— (}i«m2;s up rocoivor; oatos It cIovtii a^^aini callc in his 
natural voice) In this the offlcG*?- — Glvo ne roon 2G. fSlizahoth 
Byovni's phorio rings— slo stops; darxln{^-, rune to the phono; takes 
do\m t:.e rocoivor; puts it to hor ear) 
Pat Gullsr:- (ii/iitatin^^ Doctor Gmall^Tood's voice) 

"Is tliat ij-ouy Bessio?'' 
Elizaheth Brov/n:- (at phone) 

"Siire thini-;" 
Pat Gully J- (et phono) 

" 1*11 he there at 9 o'clock to coe :-;iy little Cainmio 
and you— I caii* u come .ednecday- — I iiave tliat money you v/ant." 
Elizaheth Brov-Ti;- (delic.htcd) 

"That*!; finc4-you'rc all right— I'm hroke— I neod 
it sur'?- — little Sariniic hro^ce the looking gfiass to the dresser in 
my room- — had to pay for it h of ore they \70uld give rao a nov; 
dresser. " 
Ihe Kid:- (jhuaps av froni the floor ) 

"ilaw, L:}Kit*s a hi£: lierf" 
Pat Oullyi- fat phone) 

"Hg'g a d.'.indyi" 
Eli^ahetli Bvoxnii- (at phono; speaJcs in tone?: of atlniration) 

"Ke's just lilce you- — hair and all," 
Pat CH'lly:- (at phone walces a *jriiaace; puts hio hand over tlie 
moufch piece) 

" I'm a cl o,ndy-nevcr even cav- mo. (takes hif.^ hand atray) 
Is nine tliat rod?" 
Elisaheth Bro\m:-(at ohone) 



gliG BlactoiiailGr * 

"Ho, not rGd-Gul;iirn- I love aiiljiiini hair like yours and 
Sanraio'si" 
Che Kld:- 

"Ilaw, tli.-?t**3 anotlior "bi ' story-you nai; red waa tlio 
dcv*l*B o\ra. oolor," 
Pa-b Gully:- (at phone) 

"Well, I'll see yo;i aaid SaiTimie at 9 tonif,lit~So long." 
(Both harg uo thoir rGceivors; lilizaDoth dancoo tlie turkey trot; 
turns on the llchta-looks at lior v/atcli-jiimps-goes to the droocor- 
jorkn open top drawer — take'5 out a yellor/ cnrly \7ig~and a v/' ite 
siiit ti'imr.ied In hluo— graljR tlie child up from tho floor— a^id he- 
ginn to nndrssrj him hurriedly--ho 1iov;1d vrinn -le coest'io wig) 
Pat Gully:- (looks In t'o telephone book- tc'?lres do\-ai receiver-calls 
in M.ic natural voice) 

"Give ne. Central— Central — C-ive no Cliff 7/1346 (then in 
a tone of voico as if he were lonc-; distance — )Long' MEjtaaeo ~.anto 
llr. Devlne(then imitating Elizabeth Bro\m*s voice) I'lmt you+I liad 
to tell her I was long distance— I *m (X>xiiq to take your aeviee and 
leave— I tloiiik so too — I've fot to have ylOO.OO before I rot off — 
I Icio'-' all about tJiat— ( speaJrs hatefully) Bring tlB heatjien money 
like yoii did before— you donH want ne to go to t'le Bishop, do you?- 
Con~ after prayor raeeting— Hot before lOlo'cloek-i-that suits ae- 
10 *'elock»" (while th^ above was going on Elisabeth war- dressing 
tlie kid) 
She Kid:- (Jerking away) 

"I won't pu.t on tlic-in old Iiot curls— I don't want to see 
that ugly old dadcly,"^ (howls) 



JO. 

TIio BlacIj"i£iilor » 

Elizateth Brovm:- (T7af:}ier! t'.e Irid*r. fo-co— ^erkc off 'ilo cuit-clips 
on clefica vftite suit trimmed in "blue) 

"How, "be a £:ocd "coj^ trciA I'll taico yo:^ to tlio novi {j 
pieturoG." 
She Fia.:- (bolicerantly) 

"Bixt I T/on't put on tlieni old carle." (he points to tlie 

ElizalDetji Browa:- 

"Yonr daddy v/on*t civo you any uionoy, if you don't look 
nice*" 

(teleplione rings; she ctops fixinfi- child, takes do'-'n tl:e rocdiver- 
Hollol 
Pat L>ully:- (imitating' tlie proacher) 

"!l?nat Lijjr/.ie?" 
B3.1saT3etli Brovm:- (at Plione) 

"YoD — .liore are you?— At lionie-^f while thxo is rpiiig on 
tl}9 kid puts the \7ir on t'le rockinij horEe'o head fastening ic on 
with strips of ad-.esiva olanter) 
Pat Gully:- (at PIio e) 

"ifo, I'm on ny T;ay to proyor mooting, hut I'm coming 
to see little Davie and you after its ovor#" 
Elizabeth Brovra:- 

"He's been crying all day to see ycu— I'm afraid lie is 
going to "be sick again — he may liave to have a doctor — hat time will 
you get here?" 
The Kid I- (uiD£-UEtcdly) 

"MsviT, I never lis;.: heon sick and you know it." 



5l< 



^yiio Blo^ctoiallor , 

Pat Gully;- (at phone) 

"Hot until aljout 10 o'clock--! liavo ruide greet oacri- 
ficos, and have soeurod that moiioy for you — hut It'B riiAnin^; iie." 
Elizabeth Bxomii- (consolingly) 

"Mayhe you i7lll r'et a grooa cclloction nest yimaay," 
Pat irully:- (at phone) 

"Maybo so- for the orph-a^c»" 
Elizabeth BrOTOi:- (at plicne) 

"Good-bye, until you £et hero — ac:a*t fors:et that none." 
(Eharply-toth hang up their receivera; she raohes to t:..e Id.d; orks 
tho v;i£v from off the lioad of the rocking Iiortje; ruches to the dross- 
or; fcaJces cciLsorc cute tiome more slips of adheoive plactar;Gticks 
to the \7ig; go tliat it vfUl etick to tiia child's hjsad; jerks tlie 
child tu tho droGCor; put& the wig oarefully on liis head, stiekin=; 
the piaster to hia forehead, so that it Tvill not eh.ov/, tJien p fil- 
ing the eiirls do\7n over v/hero the plas'cer is; he vrig^Tles all tho 
t-ime while site "s doing thJ.s, i'at Gully takes donn nlc reeeivor; 
calls) 
Pat Giaiy;- 

"Contral? 1 r-ant lon^; dict;:j3.ce, plea; c 'i'l.is long 

Distsjice? Got Ft. ..orth on tho wire— —Bill IlcrlarLuus- — At the 

Westbrook Hotei— Yes, Iho vyostbrook Ihis is Hocra 21 at tlie Dt. 

Josephs' Hotel — Just call up room LI, it will he paid for at the 

office, and charged to niy aecoxmt. (he liangs rip the receiver, for 

a moEient; then takes it dovvn ag-ain) This tl'C office? 5?his io 

Gully, in kooo 21 I've put in a call to Ft. Worth, for a fellow 

named McLiannus O.K. the call please, (he hangs p the receiver; 



52, 

glie Blaclflnallor . 

looks at Ills v/atcli; walks around the room^ soon liis toleplione riiigs-. 
tfillo lie is T?aiting for Ms call.Eliza'beth and The Kid talk) 
The Kid:- (dolefully, as die ties his TdIug tie) 

"Do all littlo hoys have lots of daddies, and liavo to 

wear these hateful old r/lgs I'm eoin{T to pull it off" (he otarts 

to do so) 

Blizaheth BrOT/n:- (sternly) 

"If you say anything aljout tlmt vjxq to your daddy, when 
he comes 1*11 hefet you for a noek, and never lot you liavc aiiy more 
ice-croaa# Don't talk about the other daddies either- — If you do 
he won't give you any more nickles to "buy candy with." (he looks 
impressed) 

(telephone in Oully's room rings; he qoqh to it; t.^kes dotm the 
receiver) (r.-hilo he is talking over the long distance to Mcllannus 
in Ji"t. r/orth, Blisaheth Bro^m takes a large photograph of Judge 
Bethel, and places it in a prominent place on tliedrGSser hy the sido 
of the one of th.o kid) 
Pat Sully;- (in his own tones of voice) 

"Yes — Yes — Yes — (h±s voice now changes to tliat of 

Elizaheth Brown) Tliat you, iir. McMc.nnus? — I'his is Boss — He's 

well- — 2alks ahout you all the time — ay, can't you run ovor to- 
night on tlie interurhan?- You coji get back in time tomorrow for the 
oponin;: of tlie convention- — we^ll go hack with you — ell rirht — I'll 

wait up — ten, thirty — 'no tliat's not too late all right ."(he hoji£:s 

up the receiver; knock at his door; he opens it J "Come in, ladies"* 
(Mrs. Bethel, Mrs. Smallwood aad huts. Devine all file in, v;ith their 
pictures in their Iiands each seemingly trying to ironviice the 



53. 



'JIxo Blaclgnaller» 

otlior vroraan that tlie photograph is of a child that belongs to the 
Imsband of the other v/onian; Mrs. Bethel, tliat he TDolongs to Doviie, 
Mrs. bmallwood, that hie "belnngs to Jiidg- Bethel; Mrs. JJevine, that 
he heloiif'D to Dr. ^mallwood. All look suspiciously , and ajagtily 
at eadi other. Gully shuts the door after then) 
Gully:- (to thmi all) 

*" Ladles, you liave promised to do as I say for th.is even- 
ing« rleaso koep caliii, no matter what you liear, or see- (ho looks 
at his v.atch)- in side of three hours, you will know all that 
there is to know; all tliat I know, and all that lioc h.idden hehind 
tJiat door- Bessie is there, Bettie is thorc and Lls^ie is there i so 
is Beanie, uammie and jjavie-(he points to the door "between the two 
rooms; the thxoe wonon crov/d to tlie door; he enjoins silonco, with 
his finger to his lips; points to the sis nails sticking from the 
door; mentions ea,eh women to a nail; theii look curiously at the 
nails; touch the putty in th.e holes; begin to Imist the putty a- 
round, as ho turns off tho light in h.is room; ho puts an unlighted 
cig§r in his mouth; chovrs on it; the th-ree women pull out tho round 
piece of putty by the nails; glue their eyes to tho holes; they see 
Elisabeth primping at tlie mirror; tho detective stands noar iirs» 
Bethel; he also twists out the putty; the tlireo women see th^ largo 
photograph of Judge Bethel on the drosserj Mrs. Bothol begins to 
faint; drops her photogra})h on the floor; he holds hor up; takes 
a bottle from hs pocket; "olds it to her nose; she revives; the 
other tv/o v/omen, whisper together; show Mrs. Bethel the tr/o photo- 
graphs in their hands and point to tjio 210C0; tho door to the roar 



54. 



The BlacIgiir.ilGr , 

of Elisabeth's room opens — Judge Bethel enters; ho has a paekaee 

in hlG arnc) 

The Kid:- (nmD to him) 

"Hellol Daddy, V7liat you ^ot for me tills time?" (Judge 
Bethel Gives the child the package, xvlio opens it. T)cre is a train 
of toy cars; a set of child's harness and r. "bcz of candy in it,: 
The child dances around in delight; opens the "box of candy; plays 
v;ith the train of cars; eats the candy- jumps about the room, plays 
with the harness) 
Elisabeth BrOTm:- 

"You always spoil him so." 
Judge Bethel ; - ( indulgent ly ) 

"He is all I have." 
(In the other room, the three wDmen look excitedly throug]i the t/jree 
holes in tlie door; Mrs. Snallwo d and ^irs. Devine whisper together; 
point at the pictures in their hands; then to the room tlirough the 
door; showing that they feel sure tliat tlie child belongs to fudge 
Bethel, and that their husbands aie in the clear; they ^low their 
delight; Mrs. Bethel shows anger, excitement and groat interest; 
the detective chews on ttos his cigax) 

Elisabeth Brov.-n;- (goes up to Judge Bethel; places her hand foniliar- 
ly on his arm) 

"Did you briiig me the money? — I haven't a cent leftJ" 
Judge Betheli- (ta^s out Ms pocket book, coiiiits out a lot of bills, 
liands them to : er) 

"Here it is-=-:fivc hundred dollars," 



55 



) 



Tlio 131ac]cmallor » 

(Mtg. Bethel seonc to have sone kind of a fit in t^io ne^rb roon; so 
&e the other t\70 worien-they look at Mrs. Bethel ao if slie had eomnitt- 
ed a crime herself) 

Elioahoth Brovm:- (takes the money; showing great surprise, and do- 
light, as she counts the money; thon tiirns in astonishment to hi i) 

^>"~ ^i?^ hundred dollars»l"(she puts the money in the top 
dra\7or of her dresser) 
Jiidc:e Bethel;- (sullenly) 

"Yes, I maaared to ^et itJ— and I'm fjlad you've at last 
decided to leave hero." 
KLisaheth Brovm:- (shrilly) 

"To leave hereli" 
The Zid:- (ptaiin^r at liis v/ig) 

"Maw, take these curls off; they hurt me." 
Elisaheth BroTOi:- (rushes to }iim; shakes hira; pats the ciirls in 

place) 

"Bennie, don't muss up yop.r lir.ir tlmt Tmyl" 

Judge Bethel;- (takes tlie child on Ms knwBJ 

"Come here, son, tell Daddy wliat's the matter." 
(The \70mon in the nesi; ro m liavo a fer/ more fits; the Hotective 
chev/s on his cigar, and listens) 
Elizabeth Brown:- (hastily says) 

"Get yoiir daddy to play horso \7ith you." 
The Kid;- (jumps dovni frifc^ the Judge's Imee) 

"Cone on, fiaddy, lot me rid you ag-aini" 
(The Judge gets dovm on his knees, the kid and i^ettie put the har- 
ness on; the kid gets astride of ]iis "back, axid ridos; tlio Judge 



56, 
) 



The iilaelnnallor. 



gooo aroinid on all foiirc on tlio floor, r/itli the liamesD aromid his 
neck; the kid yelliiig) 
The kid:- 

"Git up, Dadi— Git a move on yor, liorsioi- — ivhoailluliel-" 
(The r/omea in the next room have some more fits; tho detective 
applies the smelling salts again to Jlirs. liethel's nose; Blizaheth 
looks at than as if amused) 
Blizateth Broun: - 

"Eliat vrill do-let your daddy got up now."( ahe looks at 
her TOtch; tho Judge gets up from the floor; holds the "boy up in 
the air) 
The Kid:- (delightedly) 

"Daddy, you sure make a fine dcnkoy." 

isiisahoth BroT/n:- (looks at her v/atch tlie Judge looks at his; 

starts to go) 

"Toll your daddy good-nl.;;ht-ho*s got to go nov/- and you 
have got to z^ "to "bed." 
(Judge Bethel kissec tJie kid; and gets his liat to leave) 
KLisahoth Bro?7n:- (goes up to the Judge; kissos him) 

"I' 11 let you know v;hen i need more money." 
The Kid;- 

" Daddy, I want some raoney-my other daddy gives mo sone#" 
Elizabeth lirovmi- (outs licr hand over the child's moutli) 

"He calls the bell-hoy dadcly, because hs has yollov; h;^ir 
too." 

Judge Bethel:- (laughs; roachee in Iils pocket; gets so no loose 
coins; gives to tho child) 



Tlie ^lackraallo r. 

"Well, good-bye, yotmg oan-lDpoakc to tlio vA)r.ian)-Lot ne 
hear frora you about iil;i»" — -(ho erits, door to roar) 
(Burliit' tills scene, ^rs. Bethel in tlie room to the ric:lit shor/s all 
the Gvidonce of an angry excited \7oman; the iJetectlvo ko ps her 
from leaving the room; the other txTO -woraen, vrhisper together; point 
to their pictures and to tlio next roo ., as if they were hot; sure tliat 
the child belonged to Judge Bethel, and they go to oro. Bethel show 
her the pictures, and motion to tlie next room as if nor/ tlie matter 
woro settled. V/hen the door closes on Judge Bethel; Elizabeth BroMi 
graib!S the child; Jerks off the yellow wig; the clilld screams; all 
three Trouon return to the lioles in the door; Elizabeth tosses the 
yellov; ijig into the top drav/er of dresser; takes out the red v;ig,; 
sticks it to the child's head as slio had t]« blond one; tlie eldld 
squirms about and rosifets; the tlireo v/oraon in the next ro m shov; all 
evidence of intense and breathless int erect) 
The Kid:- (vriggling about) 

"You hurt mo-I*n goinr:; to toll my other daddy xflien he 
gets here! -the one uith l:air like t'-ose old curlsir'-f jerks an^-rily 
at the wig) 
Elizabeth Brovm:-^ (oarne: tly, as she pats the v;ig over his forehe d) 

"lov; bo a good boy, Bamrale, and your other daddy r;ill 

bring you something nice — and — and-i;;ive you some nicies JJ" 

(slie tal|es off his suit, trimmed with blue-puts on another triiamod 

which she setF frc^ tho dresser, 

with redR takes the picture of Judge Bethel from off the dressori 

tosses it in the top dra or ox tlio dresser; takes the one of Dr. 

Umallv/ood out; jjuts it in the place of tlie one of Bethel- — as she 

does this tlrs.Sr.iallwood seems to be tlie one in the next room to have 

the fit-T o Detective gives tlie smelling salts to her; the other 



58« 

'I'lio l>lackr.iallGr » 

two women vsliispor together, tlie roar door opens and Dr. Smallwood 
walks jauntily in* Ho lia;- a bundle in his arms) 
The Kid:- (rims t hin) 

"Hollo, Uaddyi — Look what ny other Daddy "bringed nielJ- 
(ho points to the other presents) — r.liat you got melr'' 

Elizabeth Brown:- (hurries to the child-puts her iiand over Iiis mouth) 

■p. 

"He calls the bell-hoy 'daddy* too because-beeaaso- he has 
auburn h-air- — and gives hi;n things to play with." — (s}}.e kicks the 
things tliat Judge Bethel has brought under the oedj- 
Dir» Smallwood:- (opens his bundle; the child looking on with great 
interest; he givec the child sone toys, a lo.iife ojid a lot of marbles. 
The child seems delighted; Jumps abou the room, tokes tlie knife; 
holds it toward the doctor) 

"Hero, Kid, how do you like these?" 
The Kid:- (holds the knife to the doctor) 

"Open it; I'm going to cut off this durned old hair.'" - 
(he starts to jerk at Iiis hair; 
Elizabeth Brown:- (jumps tov7ard the clilld) 

"JDon't cut your pretty hair."-(sho tokos hold of him; 
takes the loaife from Mm; shakos hin a little; looks tliroatoniniyly 
at him) 
The Kid:- (howls) 

"Taint prettyj— — You said tliat this old daddy(points to 

the doctor-^-had hair like •" 

Elizabeth Brown: -(catches him, shakes him a bit) 

"look at these pretty raarble3lJ"-(she shows the cMld the 
marbles; he takes them; looks at them) 



59. 

Tlie Blaclrraallor . 

Dr. Smallr/ood;- (drgtly) 

"Well, lie's franlc, to say the least* V/ell here Ic tliat 
money."- (ho takes out his piiro ; takes oat a uinaber of Mils; counts 
then out; hands tliem to her; sho eagerly rrrahs them; loois theiri over; 
seems very much astonished) 
Elizabeth Brown:- 

" ^^-ree' hundroa dollars:::" 
Dr. !imallT7o od : - ( surli ly ) 

"Yos, hut I hati a Devil of a time to get iti — I*m glad 

you have at least decided to leave It's entirely too dangerous for 

you and tlio child too, to remain here — my rd-fe's moving Heaven and 
Earth now to find v?here you are and if it v/asn*t that I'm too smart 

for Iier; she Trould he in this hotel now»" (Mrs. oBallTTOod tries to 

get through the small hole through v^.ieh siie is looking at them;the 
Detective holds her quiet; the other tvjo v/oraon catc3i her by the 
arms also , and implore her to he quiet) 

Elizabeth BroTm:- (takes the money; puts it in the top drawer. of the 
bureau; shuts tlio drav/or) 

"V.hat about my leaving?" 
Dr • Smallwo o d : - ( ar; t oni shed ) 

You said ." 

The Kid:- (shov;ing him the nickles) 

"Say Daddy, are you going to give :ne any nickles too?— 

% other ." (Doctor Snallv;ood looks mystified) 

%i3aboth Erovmi- (catches the boy- muzzles Ms mouth) 

"Don't you vant to play xrltJi yoirr marbles- — juct look 

at them." 



60. 

The Blaclo.milor . 

ITlie Zidx- (crawlc under the had; ce'^s the hJimess-crawl;; out) 

"lJo~I want tills daddy to he ny doiikey too; like my 
other dad-" 

(Elizahoth catches him; niusszlos hira) 
T>r* Smallwood:- (looks puznlod) 

"i.ljat the Devil, does he mean?" 
Ihe Kid:- (squirming oxit of hor aras; runs to the doctor; holds out 

the harness) "Play donkeyi- — Play DonkeylJ (the doctor lots the 

child liarness hin up; then rans around the room for the child) 
Elizaheth Brorai:- (gets vor;,- norvoiis; looks at her r;ateh) 

"Samrnie, you will have to tell your daddy good-night— You 
nnist QO tc hGd«"-(KT.e doctor also looks at his uateh) 
Dr. SmallTvoodi- ( 

"By G-eorge, it's almost ten o'clock - I must go." 

(ho kisses the child; the xvoaan hurriedly kisses the doctor; lirs. 

Snallwood seems to liave a fit In the otlier roora; the other tv.'o v/oiien 

look at each other and giggle^ tlie Detective chews on his ciggiJi' and 

holds Hrs. anallwood hack from hrealcinc the door down) — Well, Bessie, 

I'll tell you good-bye now— Take good care of Saramie*" (he exits 

rear door; Elizabeth jerks the child; snatches off his red T;7ig;the 

child howls again; she tosses the wig in the top drawer of the 

dresser; jorks out tlio black wig; puts it on the head of tlie child; 

fixes it down as sJie did tlio otJier ones; gets a plain wliite suit 

from f^G dresFor drr.wer: 
puts it on the child; taEes the photograph of the doctor, tosses it 

in the dro.wer; gets the one of the preacher; puts that on the 

dresser by the one of the child; the rear door opens, and the Ecv. 

Devine walks in on his tip toes; looking, around as if he was afraid 



61, 

The Blaclfl3!iallur » 

of Ms Diiadow; lie lias aBible in his hands nd looks very dotyout, 
TliG women in tlie other room are vory auch esicited- Jilro. Devine 
weeps, and gasps; the other tvro women Widsper together, otc.) 
The Kid:- (runs to the preacher; takes hold of his lonr: coat tail) 

"Daddy, what did you "bring ne?- — My other (Eli;:ahoth 

stops his mouth, with her hand) 

J:^eacher jJevine:- (puts his liand in the tail pocket of his lOii^- 
00 at; gets out a very siaall apple; hands to the child, who throws 
it under the hod, aaci turns away in disgust; the preacher speaks 
ad!?.onishingly ) 

" on't you like applG0?8 (then 2ie turns to Slisaheth, 

takes out his purse; hrmde her a rollof hills, she takes then; looks 
at them; then she gasps out delightedly) 
Elisaheth Brown: - 

"You g0t §100.00!" 
Devine:- (ddjoctedly) 

"Yog, hut I had to take tiie Heathen money again." (slie 
puts the roll of hills in her huroau,drav/er; the child stands and 
looks at the preacher contenplatively) 
!nhe Kid:- (pulling at tlie proachor's coat again) 

"Daddy, give ne some Heaven money too. "(the preacher 
sighs, puts his liands in his pocket; gets a cent; hands to the 
child ) 
Devlme : - 

"Hero is a nice penny for you- you can put it In tVe Sun- 
day sclicol. — (Mrs. Deviiie wo:ps in tiie next room; the other women 
look at their pictures and whirjper together; preacher speaks despond- 



6£. 

Bhe Blaclaaailer * 
ontly to tlie v/oraanj-Llzsie, this is a terrilsle situation for me; 
If tJie Bishop learns of it ho wDuld suroly have ne up heforo the 

Church 1 an tnily thanfcful that-^. 

The Kid:- (liolds out his penny) 

"I don't want one cent raoney-I v.ant er niekle* Give this 

to the heyensi" — All my other dad •" 

Elizabeth Brovzn:- (looks desperate, pits lier hand over his raouth) 

t Don't he look like ycu'r" 
(The Kid ho-\7ls; his mouth open;Jt'reaeher looks at hia in fear and 
astonishment. Elisabeth picks the child up; puts him on the preacher's 
lap; the kid claws at his face ) 
Devine:- (shakos the kid) 

"Vi/iiy, you are a very had hoyiJJ — " 
The Kid:* (s uirms av;ay; jumps from the proaclier's lap) 

"And, you arc th.o haddect daddy I've notJ — Mam oays- 
(dGfiantly)-you*re-you»re a sanctum old hypopoti" 
Blizabet Brovm:- 

"\Vhy, Davie, you laust'nt be so badi" 
The Kid:- (points At the preacher) 

"He's bad-I'm £;oinf; to tell ray cow-boy dad on himi" 
Devin©:- (astonislied) 

tJ ow-boy dadi" 
Elizabeth liromi:- (nervously) 

"He calls the not el clerk that." (slio looks at 3ior watch) 
My, its ten fortyi I've got to put Uavio to bod." 
Devine:- 

^Ten Forty? — " 



65. 

The Bl acknialler . 

(lio jiijai^ up; gralts Ms liat) 1 must go J Jfrayer me ting liafs boon 

over an hourl" 

ElizaTaetli Bromi:- (goec uv to liiit ;puts hor axras arotmd his neelt, 

kissoB hin) 

Devine:- (rolls up his oyesr-plants a piour> Ms on lior forehend) 

"Good night, CrOd hloaa you," (exitcj 
The Kid:- (as preacher goes out tho door enlls oxitj 

"Good-hye, old iiypor' 
(Elizabeth Betowu dances the Highland flin^^; ^rahs the kid; ^erks 
off wig; rushes to dresser, hides the picture of 'he preacher and 
wig in the dresser dra\ er» ivMle this scene is going on, Lirs. 
Devine throvrs her arms to Heaven;' fa,ints in tlie Dotective'^s arras, 
v;iio applies tlie sraelling salts, i'he otlier t\70 women loolr at oach 
other; look tlirough the holes in the door; jumps up and dOTm, sJiow 
surprise mingled v;ith delight tMt the Preacher Ir caught also. 
Elizabeth Brovna begins to pro aro th.o kid for bed and straightens 
up hor room) 
Pat Gully:- (oarnectly) 

"Uow, ladies, you've seen wMt you've seon~keep quiet 
for a fetr minutes, and I'll bring this to a focus. (The three vronon 
look broathJLesrly at him; Pat Gully goes to the phone, rii^gs) 

Centra]., give me Llain 84S2 -Hello, is that Judge Bethel? This is 

Mr. Husk- Come quick to the yt. Josepli's Hotel-Koora £1, iirs. Betliel 
has been terribly injured- — Come quick, (he puts up the receiver a 

momeiit; tnkes dovm again) Central, give me cliff 6702, Tliat Dr. 

Snallwood? — This Ic ;ur. Knight — ars. Sraallwood is hurt badly — Yes — 

very bad — at room £1, ot. Josephs Hotel Hurryi (hangs up rec<^lvor; 

grins; tnkes dorai receiver) Tliis Central — Give me cliff 1S46. 



i 



64, 



glie Blacfcmallor * 

Is that Mr. Oevlaet This is iJrother snith yistor J^vine hae. 

liad a heart attack-fell Oii the street-at ^t. Josopii's Hotel, Yes — 

Room 21 irr. liusk is Tvith hor Yec Yec — cone quickl (ho hangs up 

receivor; takoci out a eigar; puts in his nouth unliglited; turns 
facing tho vvoinon, who stand gasin^*; at hira in uttor vrondemont, 
speafcs calnly) IJow, ladios, keep your heads cool," (a knock at 
Elizabeth Brown's door; the tliree women and the JJetoctive run and 
glue their cyos to tlio holos in tho door) 

Elischeth Brown:- (open;^ tlie door; Bill M li-mnus stops In; she 
looks astonished and surprised) 

"W]3y, Mr. LJc-i^iannus , where did you come from? — I am so 
glad to see youj" (they shake hands; th kid runs to him) 
The Kid:- 

"lily Daddyl-zly .l)addyJ"fho takes the kid in his arms;hiifes 
liim; kisses hira) 
IScMannus : - 

"ly Boy— DadcUe's BoyJ — My, hasn't he srov7nt"(turr!iD to 

Blizaheth Brown) -T/asn't you looking for mo? 1 told you I'd conei" 

(while this is going on in room 23; the three hushands - Bethel, 

Smallvrood, and .Devine one after tho otlier-rush into itoom 21, 

greatly excited. I'he three women leave the door between tho rooms; 

rush to^rardc thoir rospectivo husbands) 

Mrs. Bmallwood:- (grabs Dr. oinallwood by the ear) 

"You vrretchj — (leads him to the door between rooms; jabs 
his face to one of tho }iOles; stands behind him; one hand on each 

ear)- — LoofciiJ there's your Beseic txnd. Little oamraielli'* 

Mrs. Bethel:- 



65. 

She BlacIniiE-iler » 

"You YillianJ" (GTabs Judf;e Bethel by the oar; leads 
Mm to the door; puehoc "liis face to one of the iioles) — -seoJiJ — 
'there's yoiir Bettio and Littlo Bemilei" 
Mrs . Pev ino : - ( V/e ep iiigly ) 

"Yoii eld h-ypocritej (grahs Devino "by the whiskers; leads 
him to the donr; jtihs hlo faco to one of the holes) Lock in there J 
There's your darling Lizzie, and jcoiir little DavieJI" 
(while the three vronaen are holding their husband's e;;oc to the 
hol^s in tl:e door; p-iindlng then on the hack; shaking them; Gully 
is walking around the room- a cig-ar in hie mouth; a smile on his 
face; adjusting the pair of haud-euffs) 

McJJannus:- (holding the kid in his lap; takes a toy from his pocket; 
hands to the kid; "boimces him up and dovTn on his loieej child siiows 
delight) 
The Kid:- 

"Daddy, I Imto all my other daddies J" 
McMo^jinus:- 

"l^Tmt other daddies, son? 
Elizabeth Brotmi- (stands back of Mcilaiinus* cliair; shows great 
agitation) 

"Ho colic; the bell boy, '.he hotel clerk and the porter, 
"Hadfly: — Don't you Billy?" (she node for him to anr.;\ror i/ec) 
Tlie Kid:- (looks eaime tly into lIcMaimus » c faco) 

"lUhat's a lie, Daadyi—Thore ^vua tiireo old daddies here 
tonight, old red hc-dod daddy, old yollow headed daddy, aixl that old 
black Iieaded h.Trpopot daddy, that don't give me nothing: but red 
apples •" 



66. 



'riie Blacljaaller . 
Mcliannuc:- (v;lieels in Mc e::alr) 

"Miss BroTm, vrlmt does thic moan?" 

(At that point i'at ^naiy pushes the men and vonen from the do or; 
inserts t'le key; jerks the door open) 
Pat Gully :- 

"I ?d.ll answer timt, Mr. HcMannus, This woman is a 
hiackmaileri EaL been using your child to eari^' out her hellish 
purposes J" 

McMannus;- ( jiimps up excitedly; puts his hand on his gun in his 
hip pocket) 

"Wliat in the Hell do you noani— vho in the Devil are 
you?" 
Pat Gully :- 

"Keep quiet, Mx» ^Llannus, I am Pat Chilly, the detective; 
you sliall Iiave a full o^lanation." 
McMannus:- 

"Expiaiu yourself, damn quickiJ" (ho trcratles with rage; 
his eyes flash vcngonce. V?Mlo tliis co vorsation is goinp on, the 
uhroe v;ives, with the tiiroo husbands, have crowded into the room, the 
men r/ith a hang-dog look on tlieir faces, and in their manner; while 
the three women gatlier around Elizabeth IJroTai, like a hunch of laad 
hens^ Siie 'hacks off into the comer greatly ggtMVayfa frightened) 
Pat Gully:- (pointing his finger at Siizateth Brown) 

"This woman is an adventurGS{i--'you believed her a ;:^ood 
woaian--you gave lior the care of your child— slie lias deceived you-- 
she ]xas clalT^ed tlae child qm her o?m-made these tlireo gentlemen 
believe they were it's daddy-has been OKtortinf money from them for 
years-has taught the child to call her "Itow" and those tliroe non 



67. 



The -^laclaiialler * 
"daddy"- (hero lio opens the drawer of the dresser; takes ott the 
throe wigsj holds then up) with tliese she has "been ahle to co/ivince 
each of these gentlemen that he was It's daddy, (ho turns to the 

tlrreo raen)— Gentlemen , Is not this true?" (they all maJfee a deep, 

and solemn sala:?jn) 
I'he Kid:- 

"Yes, Daddy^ all throe oi' tliem T7ere here tonight, aiid I 
had to T/oar tliom old \7igs-I liate emi-" 
MeMannus:- (turns savagely to JSlizahetli Brovm) 

"Is this true?" (Elizaljoth Brown, crouches guiltily in 
the corner) 
MeMannus : - 

"Daian youj- ton don't deny it i- (takes his child in his 
arms; hugs him to his "breast)- Uy poor ■t)oyJ- (holding; the cliild in 
his left arm; ho points at Slisahoth Brown with his right^- Would 
to Ood that you were a mani- Your life would pay for tliisi— I 
trusted you witji Loy dead -ivlfe's childl-^aid you well to care for 
him, and this is what I get4 '' (exits with child in his arms) 
Mr:.;. Sraallwood:- 

" And yoii got threo hundred dollars out of ny hus"band to- 
night J- Hand that overi"-(she holds out her Ijand) 
Mrs. Sethel:- 

"You got fiv e hundred out of mino-I saw him pay it to 
youi " 
Mrs. Devine:- 

"Ajid a whole hundred - (in ar/ed and iiorrified tones) -out 
of mine," 



68, 



i:*.:.!; ^nilly:- (takes t'lo hand-cuff.'' from liio pocket; advancoo to 
ElizalDeth Brown) 

♦■'Miss j^rcv/n, I'm sorry, hvA I v/ill licve to ack you to 

- ■ v tlist; 3 brae clots (he liand-cuff ts iior)- Hoy; v/liore is tlL?.! money?' 

rJXi a:i)on?ii Bro\7:'i:- (sulleuly points to the dresaer drawer) 

"In that drawer. " 
Pat Gully:- (goetj to drawer, takes out tlireo rolls of money; hands 
roll to each lady) 

"i*adies, here's li-it money for sorao tlLie t<) come. Tue 
riddle is solved. 

For the real dad of Billie enms o.it of tlio west. 

Made the hogus dads seo oh.eir ovm. v.lves ere the hest. 

And tlmt Bessie, and i^ottie, o-iid Lisale so fair, 

uB.0 most wicked \7Dman that liod about h:-ir»" 
iirs. ::maillwood:- (takes Dr. amallwood "by idoE his ear) 

"But you tiiought he was yours i" 
Mrs. Bethel:- (takes Judgo Bethel "by his ear) 

"You LolievGd ho ".:as yours." 
Mrc. Levine:- (takes .uevino ty his •Brlilskors} 

"And you knew ho v. as yours." 
(Detective in cliarge of Elizabeth Bro\7n follows) 

Curtai-n. 



BUD. 



•J 



LBAp3C 



